title: Spontaneous regression of a symptomatic atlanto-occipital joint cyst. Case report.
abstract: Synovial cysts (SCs) are well-recognized entities occurring at various spinal sites, although atlanto-occipital joint cyst is a rare occurrence. Similarly both hypoglossal nerve palsy (as an initial clinical onset) and spontaneous cervical cyst resolution are rare. In this report, the authors describe an atlanto-occipital SC revealed by hypoglossal nerve palsy in a 75-year-old woman. Due to the paucity of neurological signs and the patient's advanced age, she was managed conservatively; 8 months later the cyst resolved completely. We discuss the potential factors involved in the pathogenesis and the therapeutic options for this uncommon cervical entity. We advise conservative treatment as a first therapeutic option for SC without signs of spinal cord compression.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, Pontchaillou University Hospital, 2, rue Henri-Le-Guilloux, 35033 Rennes cedex 9, France. pierre-louis.henaux@chu-rennes.fr
authors: P-L
authors: PL
authors: Hénaux
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Hamlat
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Riffaud
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Guégan
authors: X
authors: X
authors: Morandi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D001845:Bone Cysts / Q000473:pathology*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020437:Hypoglossal Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome