• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.215-217
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• 2014

Synovial cysts are recognized as an uncommon cause of radicular and myelopathic symptoms. They are most frequently found in the lumbar region. The cervical spine or cervicothoracic junction is a rare location for a degenerative intraspinal synovial cyst as compared with the lumbar spine. At given cervical spinal levels, synovial cysts probably share clinical features with disc herniation and stenosis. However, the pathogenesis of synovial cysts remains still controversial. Here, we report a rare case of a synovial cyst in the lower cervical spine presented as Brown-Sequard syndrome and include a brief review of the literature. To the best of our knowledge, no previous report has been issued in the English literature on a synovial cyst presenting with Brown-Sequard syndrome. Neurologic function recovered completely after complete removal of the cyst and expansive laminoplasty.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.221-223
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• 2006

We report the case of a patient with a retro-odontoid synovial cyst, coupled with os odontoideum and atlantoaxial instability. We observed the regression of the cyst after C1-2 transarticular screw fixation and posterior wiring without direct surgical excision of the cyst on the follow-up MR images, which were obtained two and three months postoperatively. The myelopathic symptoms and signs of this patient were resolved by degrees.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.55-57
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• 2014

Synovial cysts of the cervical spine, although they occur infrequently, may cause acute radiculopathy or myelopathy. Here, we report a case of a cervical synovial cyst presenting as acute myelopathy after manual stretching. A 68-year-old man presented with gait disturbance, decreased touch senses, and increased sensitivity to pain below T12 level. These symptoms developed after manual stretching 3 days prior. Computed tomography scanning and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 1-cm, small multilocular cystic lesion in the spinal canal with cord compression at the C7-T1 level. We performed a left partial laminectomy of C7 and T1 using a posterior approach and completely removed the cystic mass. Histological examination of the resected mass revealed fibrous tissue fragments with amorphous materials and granulation tissue compatible with a synovial cyst. The patient's symptoms resolved after surgery. We describe a case of acute myelopathy caused by a cervical synovial cyst that was treated by surgical excision. Although cervical synovial cysts are often associated with degenerative facet joints, clinicians should be aware of the possibility that these cysts can cause acute neurologic symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.54-56
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• 2011

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is frequently associated with inflammatory lesions of the spine and continuous fatigue stress fractures; however, an association with an intraspinal synovial cyst has not been previously reported. A 55-year-old man with a five year history of AS who presented with back pain and a right radiculopathy was admitted to the hospital. Five years previously, he underwent a percutaneous vertebroplasty for an osteoporotic L1 compression fracture, and was diagnosed with AS at that time. Plain radiographs showed aggravated kyphosis and a stress fracture through the ossified posterior element, below the prior vertebroplasty. Magnetic resonance images revealed a right foraminal cystic lesion at the L2-L3 level with effacement of the nerve root. A 1.6 cm cystic lesion that appeared to arise from the L2-L3 facet joint without direct communication was excised from the L2-L3 foramen. Pathological examination confirmed synovial cyst. The patient's symptoms resolved immediately after surgery except for a mild dysesthesia of the right leg. We report herein a rare case of foraminal synovial cyst associated with AS accompanying posterior element fracture with a review of literature.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.56-59
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• 2009

The lumbar intraspinal epidural ganglion cyst has been a rare cause of the low back pain or leg pain. Ganglion cysts and synovial cysts compose the juxtafacet cysts. Extensive studies have been performed about the synovial cysts, however, very little has been known about the ganglion cyst. Current report is about two ganglion cysts associated with implicative findings in young male patients. We discuss about the underlying pathology of the ganglion cyst based on intraoperative evidences, associated disc herniation at the same location or severe degeneration of the ligament flavum that the cyst originated from in young patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.1
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• pp.162-172
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• 2021

Purpose We retrospectively evaluated the technical success rate and long-term efficacy of fluoroscopy-guided synovial cyst rupture followed by an intra-articular steroid injection at the post-laminectomy lumbar facet. Materials and Methods We selected subjects who had undergone a fluoroscopy-guided synovial cyst rupture with simultaneous intra-articular steroid injection within 6 months of MRI and demonstrated a symptomatic facet joint synovial cyst at the level of a previous lumbar laminectomy. Fourteen patients were enrolled, and we determined whether cyst rupture and symptom improvement were achieved after each procedure. The degrees of symptom improvement were categorized into 4: 1) symptoms improved (30% or more reduction, based on pre-procedural and post-procedural Numerical Pain Rating Scale scores), 2) symptoms not improved, 3) patient underwent surgery after injection, and 4) loss of follow-up. Results The success rate of percutaneous synovial cyst rupture decreased with repeated procedures (62.5% for the first procedure and 0% to 33.3% for additional procedures). However, 80% of the patients had symptom improvement with the procedures, overall. The surgery rate was 14.3% in 14 patients. Conclusion For patients with post-laminectomy symptomatic lumbar facet joint synovial cysts, fluoroscopy-guided synovial cyst rupture with intra-articular steroid injection may be an effective and less invasive treatment before considering a surgical approach.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.222-226
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• 1991

In advant of high-resolutional CT and MRI, it is not so difficult to detect the lumbar synovial cyst, however the unusual disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of cauda equina compression syndromes. The case of a 55-year-old man who had a low back pain and severe radiating pain on both legs showed a retrolisthesis at L3-4 and L4-5 and epidural enhansing mass just around L4-5 facet joint on MRI. Microscopically a lining of synovial tissue was demonstrated. After surgery of the total resection of synovial cyst and stabilization, the patient's presenting symptoms were improved.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.567-569
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• 2012

Synovial cysts of the lumbar spine are an uncommon cause of back and radicular pain. These cysts most frequently present as back pain, followed by chronic progressive radiculopathy or gradual onset of symptoms secondary to spinal canal compromise. Although less common, they can also present with acute spinal cord or root compression symptoms. We report of a case in which hemorrhaging into a right L2-3 facet synovial cyst caused an acute onset of back pain and radiculopathy, requiring surgical excision.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.346-350
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• 2021

A magnetic resonance imaging test was performed on a 56-year-old male patient, who visited with a one-month history of painless swelling at the popliteal area of the left knee. A popliteal cyst and non-calcified loose body in the cyst were identified. Synovial chondromatosis was diagnosed from a histology examination by excision and biopsy. This paper reports this case of extra-articular synovial chondromatosis of the knee with a review of the relevant literature.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.292-295
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• 2008

Temporomandibular joint cysts usually occur between the second and fourth decade of life. There is a female predominance to male of approximately 3 to 1. The patients complain of swelling, pain and sometimes decreased mouth opening. Synovial cysts of the temporomandibular joint seem to develop by an increase of intraarticular pressure due to trauma or inflammation which causes capsular herniation. However, if inflammatory synovial cysts develop by an increase of synovial fluid into inflammation tissue in the capsule without capsular herniation, a differential diagnosis should include synovial chondromatosis and synovitis. This is a case report of a synovial cyst developed in a capsule of the temporomandibular joint.