title: Acute traumatic myelopathy secondary to a thoracic cyst in a professional football player.
abstract: METHODS
  Case report of acute traumatic myelopathy secondary to thoracic synovial cyst in a professional football player.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To emphasize examination for myelopathy and describe the radiographic and magnetic resonance findings of a rare source of traumatic myelopathy.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Magnetic resonance imaging is the best initial evaluation for myelopathy in a traumatic setting. Heightened awareness during evaluation of a player involved in a traumatic incident allowed the diagnosis of potential cord damage and paralysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A subject with symptoms resulting from a direct blow to the back was evaluated for myelopathy, with diagnosis assisted by magnetic resonance imaging used to pinpoint the source of the disorder.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The diagnosis allowed a surgical excision of the traumatic synovial cyst and full recovery of the injured football player.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Awareness during examination for myelopathy in an acutely injured athlete is imperative to prompt the clinician to order the proper diagnostic studies and thereby embark on a surgical correction of the problem.
authors.affiliation: Marshfield Clinic, WI 54449-5777, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lynn
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.forename: I V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Watkins RG
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D013581:Synovial Cyst / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology*