title: Successful treatment of a symptomatic L5/S1 discal cyst by percutaneous CT-guided aspiration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Discal cysts are a rare cause of lumbar radiculopathy. Benefits of percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided aspiration of the cyst include decreased rate of infection, avoidance of general anesthesia, and quicker recovery. However, since the publication of a case of cyst recurrence after CT-guided aspiration, few have utilized this potentially valuable technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a patient with a discal cyst arising from the L5/S1 disc causing right S1 radiculopathy. He underwent percutaneous CT-guided aspiration with substantial improvement in his radicular pain with 19 months of follow-up. His improvement was measured quantitatively using the Japanese Orthopedic Association scale: 6/15 pre-procedure, 15/15 post-procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous CT-guided aspiration of discal cysts may be a valid initial treatment option for this condition. Patients who do not respond or who have a recurrence can subsequently be treated by surgical excision.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 600 N Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21287.
authors.forename: Hormuzdiyar H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Dasenbrock
authors.forename: Sudhir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kathuria
authors.forename: Timothy F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Witham
authors.forename: Ziya L
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Gokaslan
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bydon