L5 radicular pain related to a cystic lesion of the posterior longitudinal ligament.
A 35-year-old man with a long history of left L5 radicular pain was found to have an intraspinal cystic lesion causing radicular compression. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a round lesion situated in the anterior epidural space, with uniform high signal intensity on T2-weighted sequences characteristic of a cystic lesion. During surgery a liquid-containing cyst originating from the posterior longitudinal ligament was punctured and resected. The histologic aspect was that of a ganglion cyst without synovial layers. The radiologic differential diagnoses are discussed.
Le Breton
C
C
Department of Radiology, Hospital Tenon, Paris, France.
Garreau de Luobresse
C
C
Awky
J
J
Khalil
A
A
Sibony
M
M
Judet
T
T
Bigot
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D017846:Longitudinal Ligaments / Q000473:pathology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013581:Synovial Cyst / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis