title: L5 radiculopathy caused by a ganglion cyst of the posterior longitudinal ligament in a teenager.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is no previous report on the intraspinal ganglion cyst of the posterior longitudinal ligament in a teenager.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report a case of radiculopathy caused by a ganglion cyst of the posterior longitudinal ligament in a teenager.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 17-year-old male with a 4-month history of left L5 radicular pain was found to have an intraspinal cystic lesion causing radicular compression. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a cystic lesion located in the ventral side of the dura. The patient suffered from severe leg pain. As a result, a surgical operation was therefore performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cyst containing jelly-like components and a hemorrhage was punctured and then extirpated. It originated from the posterior longitudinal ligament. A histological study revealed the cyst to be without any synovial layers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first report to describe a ganglion cyst originating from the posterior longitudinal ligament in a teenager. This possible etiology should be kept in mind for any other individuals displaying symptoms of spinal nerve root compression as well as disc herniation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic and Neuro-Musculoskeletal Surgery, Faculty of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan. mtamari@fc.kuh.kumamoto-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Masaya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mizutamari
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sei
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taniwaki
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mizuta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001706:Biopsy; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D004388:Dura Mater; D045888:Ganglion Cysts / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D017846:Longitudinal Ligaments / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery