Cyst of the ligamentum flavum.
METHODS
A patient with sciatica resulting from a hemorrhagic cyst of the ligamentum flavum is reported. Surgical removal of the cyst relieved the patient of her sciatic symptoms.


BACKGROUND
Cyst of ligamentum flavum is an uncommon cause of radiculopathy. There are 13 cases in the literature.


CONCLUSIONS
The differential diagnosis of benign interspinal extradural mass lesions includes spinal synovial cysts, ligamentum flavum cysts, perineural cysts, dermoid cysts, and parasitic cysts.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
J K
JK
Baker
G W
GW
Hanson
D003560:Cysts / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017843:Ligamentum Flavum; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D012585:Sciatica / Q000209:etiology*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots; D013581:Synovial Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis