Synovial Cyst as an Uncommon Cause of Radiculopathy

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Synovial cysts develop as a result of herniation in the synovial membrane of the facet capsule. Synovial cysts, which are seen mostly in the 6th and 7th decades of life, are rarely seen in intraspinal, extradural lesions which lead to lower back pain and radiculopathy. Although they can be seen throughout the spinal region, the most common location is the lumbar L4-L5 disc space. It is very rare that location is in the cervical or thoracic regions and may be due to myelopathy in these regions. As those showing location in the lumbar area are close to the nerve root, radiculopathy may occur as a result of pressure on the nerve root. Diagnosis is made from a thick cystic structure seen adjacent to the facet joint on computed tomography and the determination of the capsule with contrast on magnetic resonance imaging. While conservative or surgical methods can be applied in treatment, the most commonly preferred method is surgery. In this paper, the case is presented of a 68-year old male patient with severe left leg pain, who was diagnosed with synovial cyst at the L4-L5 level.In elderly patients with complaints of radiculopathy, synovial cysts must be considered in the differential diagnosis.

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Radiculopathy , synovial cysts , elderly patients

Pamukkale Medical Journal

4

247

2016

Pamukkale Medical Journal