"Relapsing-remitting" bilateral synovial cysts of the lumbar spine. A case report

Abstract

A case of bilateral synovial cysts is reported. They were shown by MRI first on one side and later, on the contralateral side, concomitantly with a reduction in the size of the cyst. Because spine instability was also present the most acceptable assumption is that there may be a contiguity between the articular facets and the cysts, thus enabling the filling and emptying of the cysts itself.

Chiropractic Treatment of Lumbar Spine Synovial Cysts: A Report of Two Cases

“…These findings may support the theory that increased segmental motion plays a role in the pathogenesis of synovial cysts. 17 A case of bilateral synovial cysts is reported in which MRI first showed it on one side and later, on the contralateral side, concomitantly with a reduction in the size of the original cyst. Because spine instability was also present, the assumption is that there may be contiguity between the articular facets and the cysts, thus enabling the filling and emptying of the cysts.…”

Thoracic juxtafacet cyst (JFC): a cause of spinal myelopathy

“…Typically, there is a small communication between actual cyst wall and the facet joint which is hard to delineate even on MR imaging (16). This communication may explain the dynamic nature of these lesions with expansion and decompression of the cyst due to postural changes and the mechanical stresses of the spine (10). Treatment of JFC depends on the degree of symptoms, location, and the size of the cyst.…”

Presentation of a Rare Case of Bilateral Lumbar Synovial Cysts

“…The clinical pictures in patients with synovial cysts of the lumbar spine vary considerably. The symptoms differ according to the size and location of the cyst in relation to neural structures [3,5]. Synovial cysts are located at a number of different sites such as the dorsal midline with involvement of the dura mater, the inner aspect of the ligamentum flavum without attachment to the facet, the spinal canal with attachment to the facet through the interlaminar space, or the ligamentum flavum itself.…”

“…The formation of a unilateral synovial cyst is a seldom cause of back pain and sciatica in the elderly [1]. Bilateral symptomatic synovial cysts of the lumbar spine are very rare [1][2][3][4]. We report a case of a 65 year old female patient, with bilateral symptomatic synovial cysts at L4 -L5 level.…”