L5 radiculopathy caused by a ganglion cyst of the posterior longitudinal ligament in a teenager.
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.
Mizutamari
Masaya
M
Department of Orthopaedic and Neuro-Musculoskeletal Surgery, Faculty of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan. mtamari@fc.kuh.kumamoto-u.ac.jp
Sei
Akira
A
Fujimoto
Toru
T
Taniwaki
Takuya
T
Mizuta
Hiroshi
H
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