Myelopathy induced by a thoracic intraspinal synovial cyst: case report and review of the literature.
METHODS
A follow-up study of a patient with myelopathy resulting from a thoracic intraspinal synovial cyst was conducted.


OBJECTIVE
To present this unusual form of myelopathy, and to highlight this unique condition by a literature review.


BACKGROUND
Intraspinal synovial cysts are quite common in the lumbar spine, but much rarer in the thoracic spine, where they may produce myelopathy from spinal cord compression. The reported patient presented with a lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis, but actually was symptomatic from a thoracic synovial cyst.


METHODS
Clinical and radiographic details of a patient with a thoracic intraspinal synovial cyst are presented. A complete literature review also summarizes previously published material on this topic.


RESULTS
The thoracic intraspinal synovial cyst was appropriately identified on a magnetic resonance image examination. The patient underwent successful thoracic spinal cord decompression with stabilization and fusion. The myelopathy resolved postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
The possibility of a thoracic synovial cyst should be considered in the evaluation of pain associated with myelopathy.
Graham
E
E
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Lenke
L G
LG
Hannallah
D
D
Lauryssen
C
C
D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation; D013581:Synovial Cyst / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery