title: Posterior thecal lumbar disc herniation mimicking synovial cyst.
abstract: We describe a 70 year-old-patient with a rare, misleading presentation of lumbar disc prolapse, which on CT mimicked a synovial cyst. The whole nucleus pulposus had herniated, become sequestrated, and migrated behind the theca adjacent to the L4-5 facet joint. There was no continuity of the disc material with the intervertebral space. A fenestration was performed and the sequestrated disc material was found free of adhesions, and removed completely without difficulty. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. The patient had complete relief from his pain.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Neurosurgery, Richmond Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Sakas
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Farrell
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Toland
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D013581:Synovial Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed