Cervical juxtafacet cysts: case report and literature review

Lumbar spinal ganglion cyst: A systematic review with case illustration

PURPOSE

Ganglion cysts are benign soft tissue lesions found in joints, most commonly wrists. The incidence for juxtafacet cysts, the condition under which spinal ganglion cysts are categorized, is between 0.06% and 5.8%. Spinal ganglion cysts often arise in the most mobile segment of the lumbar spine, L4-L5. Patients commonly present with pain, radiculopathy, and weakness. Conservative management is used, but surgical resection is the most common treatment modality. We aim to review the literature and present a rare case of an L2-L3 situated spinal ganglion cyst, treated with maximal safe resection.

METHODS

A systematic review of literature was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were queried using Boolean operators and search terms, "spinal ganglion cyst, lumbar ganglion cyst, and lumbar juxtafacet cyst". Presentation, surgical management, and postoperative course of a 29-year-old male with an L2-L3 spinal ganglion cyst are also described.

RESULTS

The search yielded 824 articles; 23 met inclusion criteria. These papers consisted of 27 spinal ganglion cyst cases with disaggregated patient data. 63.0% of patients were male, and 53.4 years (range: 23-86) was the average age at presentation. Mean symptom duration was 1.9 years (range: 3 days-12 years). 70.4% of patients reported complete symptom resolution. 14.8% of cases noted neural foramen involvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Spinal ganglion cysts are benign lesions typically presenting with radiculopathy. Maximal safe resection is an effective treatment modality with low complication rates. Future studies are needed to understand if neural foramen involvement leads to increased symptom severity.

Neuropathic Pain due to Compression of Cervical Medial Branch by Cervical Juxtafacet Cyst: A Case Report

In the current report, we describe an interesting case of cervical juxtafacet that developed outside the intervertebral foramen, compressing the cervical medial branch and causing neuropathic pain in the posterior inferior neck pain. A 61-year-old woman visited a local pain clinic due to neuropathic pain with a tingling and burning nature (numeric rating scale [NRS]: 5 out of 10) on the left posterior inferior neck area for 4 months. Paresthesia was observed in the left posterior inferior neck area. On cervical radiography, segmental instability was observed at the C3-4 and C4-5 levels. Moreover, on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine, a cyst (size: 1.3 cm × 0.7 cm × 1 cm) was outside the intervertebral foramen, contacting the left C4-5 facet joint and left C5 articular pillar. We thought that compression of the left C5 medial branch by the cyst could cause the patient's pain. We conducted computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous needle aspiration of a cervical juxtafacet cyst. An 18-gauge needle was advanced under the guidance of CT into the largest portion of the cyst through a posterolateral oblique approach. Gelatinous mucoid fluid (approximately 0.5 cc) was aspirated. Immediately after the aspiration, 80% of the patient's pain was disappeared, and dysesthesia was completely disappeared. At the 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups, the patient reported slight pain (NRS: 1) on the left posterior inferior neck. Cervical juxtafacet cysts can develop outside of the intervertebral foramen and spinal canal. Percutaneous needle aspiration can be a useful therapeutic tool for the treatment of such cysts.

Spinal ganglion cyst presenting with radiculopathy: diagnostic challenges and differential

INTRODUCTION

Ganglion cysts are benign soft tissue lesions, usually arising from periarticular connective tissue. These are very rarely reported in the spine, but when seen can cause radiculopathy or myelopathy.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 68-year-old female patient presented with worsening radiculopathy and right foot drop and imaging noted a right L5-S1 foraminal mass. The lesion was gross totally resected. Histological analysis revealed myxoid degeneration and inflammation, without a synovial lining, consistent with ganglion cyst.

DISCUSSION

While uncommon, intra-foraminal ganglion cysts can be distinguished from synovial cysts through imaging and histology and are typically amenable to surgical resection. Greater knowledge and insight about differentiating ganglion versus synovial cyst may prevent resection of facet joints and prevent a fusion procedure.

Upper Thoracic Spine Synovial Cyst Resulting in Paraplegia Following Transient Hypotension

Development of synovial cysts in the rigid thoracic spine is rare. Additionally, synovial cysts with compression of nerve roots typically cause subacute or chronic radiculopathy. We present a patient who had a new diagnosis of upper thoracic (T1-2) synovial cyst that caused acute paraplegia while hospitalized for therapies and surgical planning. The patient is a 56-year-old male with a history of congestive heart failure secondary to alcoholic cardiomyopathy. He presented with a progressive bilateral lower extremity discoordination, urinary incontinence, and altered perineal sensation. His examination revealed intact strength to bedside assessment, intact rectal tone, but upgoing toes on Babinski testing. Given concern for myelopathy, MRI thoracic spine was obtained and demonstrated large T1-2 synovial cyst causing severe compression with associated T2 signal change within the spinal cord. He underwent expedited cardiac optimization that included resumption of outpatient antihypertensive medications and the addition of a single dose of intravenous diuretic. The patient had subsequent transient hypotension following significant diuresis and developed acute paraplegia in his bilateral lower extremities. Fluids and vasopressors were initiated, and he underwent emergent surgery for decompression and synovial cyst resection. The patient did very well and had normalization of his neurological exam within 24 hours. We present a case of acute paraplegia secondary to hypotension and spinal cord hypoperfusion in a patient with upper thoracic synovial cyst. This is rare pathology with an even more unique presentation. The authors recommend careful perioperative hemodynamic monitoring to help avoid acute worsening in this patient population.

The Variability of Lumbar Facet Joint Synovial Cyst Recurrence Requiring Revision Surgery After Decompression-only and Decompression/Fusion

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate lumbar spine synovial cyst recurrence rates of decompression-alone versus decompression/fusion procedures.

BACKGROUND

Improvements in imaging modalities allow for increased diagnosis and surgical treatment of symptomatic spinal juxtafacet synovial cysts. Conservative management may be used as a first-line management strategy, however rarely provides durable, effective relief of symptoms. Surgical treatment of spinal synovial cysts ranges from decompression and cyst excision to decompression with fusion procedures. Decompression procedures alone have a higher risk of recurrence of spinal synovial cysts.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 87 patients undergoing surgical treatment of lumbar spinal juxtafacet synovial cysts as a single institution over 20 years. Surgical treatment consisted of either decompression versus decompression/fusion procedures. Preoperative symptoms included back pain, radiculopathy, motor deficits, or sensory deficits. The incidence of recurrence of spinal synovial cysts at the same-site or differing sites was compared between 2 categories of surgical treatment. Revision surgical procedure rates were also evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 55 (63%) patients were treated with an index decompression-only procedure for the lumbar spinal synovial cyst compared with 32 (37%) patients treated with an index decompression and fusion procedure. Fifty-eight (68%) of the lumbar spinal cysts occurred at the L4-L5 level. There were 10 (11.5%) spinal synovial cyst recurrences in the decompression-only group, and 0 recurrences in the decompression/fusion group. Revision decompression procedures were performed in 4 of the 10 (4.6%) recurrences, and 6 of 10 (6.9%) recurrences had subsequent decompression and fusion surgery. The mean time to recurrence was 23.9±17.3 months. The mean length of follow-up was 65.1±48.6 months. Both recurrence and nonrecurrence cohorts had significant symptomatic improvement using Odom criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Decompression and cyst excision was the more common surgical treatment of lumbar spinal synovial cysts compared with decompression/fusion procedure in our study. The rate of synovial cyst recurrence and revision surgery in patients undergoing index decompression was relatively low and comparable to current literature. Symptomatic improvement of patients undergoing decompression versus decompression/fusion was similar in our study. Although the fusion may be required for the extent of pathology or coexisting instability, decompression and excision of spinal synovial cysts provide durable, effective treatment with a known, appropriate risk of recurrence and subsequent revision surgery.

Cervical C7 ganglion cyst causing compressive myelopathy: A rare case report

Background:

Juxtafacet cysts, synovial and ganglion cysts, emanate from the facet joints. Patients with these cysts are typically asymptomatic but may rarely present with radiculopathy and/or myelopathy.

Case Description:

A 72-year-old female presented with a 1-month history of progressive lower extremity weakness (left more than right), numbness, and urinary incontinence. Notably, she also had a C7 sensory level to pin appreciation of 1-month duration. The magnetic resonance imaging showed an extradural C7 cystic lesion whose capsule enhanced with gadolinium, causing severe cord compression. The patient underwent a left C7 hemilaminectomy for complete excision of the cyst; postoperatively in 2-weeks duration, she regained full neurological function. The final histopathology was consistent with a ganglion cyst.

Conclusion:

Cervical juxtafacet cysts rarely cause compressive myelopathy. They may be readily diagnosed and resected with excellent postoperative outcomes.

A rare clinical case of surgical treatment of a periarticular cyst of the facet joint of the lumbar spine

Background. Periarticular cysts of the facet joint, due to their rare occurrence, often slip away from the attention of clinicians. However their formation and progression may cause compression of vascular-neural structures with subsequent manifestations of severe neurological disorders. Description of the clinical case. We present a rare clinical case of surgical treatment of a periarticular cyst of the facet joint. A comprehensive examination of the patient S. revealed: Dorsopathy with degenerative spinal canal stenosis at LV-SI level; spondyloarthrosis; periarticular facet cyst at LV-SI level on the left; radiculopathy LV on the left, in the acute stage; pronounced pain and musculo-tonic syndrome. Complaints of the patient: constant pain in the lumbar spine, extending to the left lower extremity and aggravating when walking at a distance of 50-100 meters; feeling numb when walking on the plantar surface of the left foot. When examining the local status, a forced posture with a bowed head and torso forward was noted; smooth lumbar lordosis and antalgic right-sided scoliosis; tension of paravertebral muscles. Neurological examination revealed LVradiculopathy on the left with moderate paresis of the extensor muscles of the left foot and ipsilateral Lasègue's positive test. MRI examination revealed spinal canal stenosis, facet joint cyst at the level of LV-SI with dimensions of 14×8×8.5 mm. An operative intervention was performed: reconstructive decompressive-stabilizing spinal surgery with a single block removing the articular facet with a periarticular cyst at the left LV-SI level with subsequent posterior transpedicular fixation of the vertebral motor segment. Two months after the operation, complete medical and social rehabilitation of the patient was achieved. No complaints. Conclusion. In case of compression of a periarticular cyst of vascular-neural structures with severe neurological disorders, surgical treatment with the cyst removal is recommended.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Cervical Spine Intraspinal Extradural Synovial Cysts

Spinal synovial cysts are relatively uncommon and are most frequently found in the lumbar spine and rarely in the cervical spine. Intraspinal extradural cervical synovial cysts can occur and potentially cause cord/nerve root compression with symptoms of myelopathy/radiculopathy; however, most are asymptomatic and incidental findings. We conducted a literature review and present, to our knowledge, the largest imaging case series and describe the magnetic resonance imaging features of cervical synovial cysts.

PERIARTICULAR CYSTS OF FACET JOINTS: ETIOPATHOGENESIS, DIAGNOSIS, METHODS OF SURGICAL TREATMENT. A CLINICAL EXAMPLE

Background. Periarticular cysts (PC) of facet joints is a rare pathology in neurosurgical practice. The concept of PC is applicable for all cysts that are located either pararticularly in the region of facet joints, or start from them.

Material and methods. A systematic search was performed in medical databases: Medline, RINC, EMedicine, UMKB, Pubmed on the relevant topic in Russian and English. The search query includes  words: arcuate joint, periarticular cyst, clinic, diagnosis, surgical  treatment. One of the significant factors of PC development is the  instability of the vertebralmotor segment of both degenerative and post-traumatic character.

Results. The result of the literature review was the writing of a clinical lecture, the current state of the issue of etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and management of patients with  periarticular cysts of facet joints was studied. The article gives a  clinical example of surgical treatment of a patient with a periarticular cyst at the level of LIV-LV on the right.

Conclusion. Periarticular cysts of facet joints are one of the factors of compression of cauda equina roots, with surgical treatment being  a radical and effective way of treatment. A detailed study of this  pathology is a promising direction in spinal neurosurgery. Further  research is required on comparative analysis of clinical and  instrumental efficacy of various methods of surgical treatment of periarticular cysts of facet joints.

Lumbar ganglion cyst: Nosology, surgical management and proposal of a new classification based on 34 personal cases and literature review

AIM

To analyze different terms used in literature to identify lumbar extradural cysts and propose a common scientific terminology; to elaborate a new morphological classification of this pathology, useful for clinical and surgical purposes; and to describe the best surgical approach to remove these cysts, in order to avoid iatrogenic instability or treat the pre-existing one.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 34 patients with symptomatic lumbar ganglion cysts treated with spinal canal decompression with or without spinal fixation. Microsurgical approach was the main procedure and spinal instrumentation was required only in case of evident pre-operative segmental instability.

RESULTS

The complete cystectomy with histological examination was performed in all cases. All patients presented an improvement of clinical conditions, evaluated by Visual Analogic Scale and Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring.

CONCLUSION

Spinal ganglion cysts are generally found in the lumbar spine. The treatment of choice is the microsurgical cystectomy, which generally does not require stabilization. The need for fusion must be carefully evaluated: Pre-operative spondylolisthesis or a wide joint resection, during the operation, are the main indications for spinal instrumentation. We propose the terms “ganglion cyst” to finally identify this spinal pathology and for the first time its morphological classification, clinically useful for all specialists.

A rare cause of root-compression: Subaxial cervical synovial cyst in association with congenital fusion

INTRODUCTION

Synovial cyst in the cervical spine is a very rare pathology that develops from the facet joint. When a synovial cyst emerges into the surrounding space, it can compress the nervous tissue and cause neurological symptoms. In the cervical area there is additionally the risk of spinal cord compression comparing to the more common presentation of synovial cysts in the lumbar spine.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

Here, a cervical synovial cysts from the left facet joint grew into the spinal canal and compressed the C8 nerve root which led to root compressing symptoms. Interestingly we found this synovial cyst with congenital fusion. We identified only nine similar cases in the literature. The cyst was removed surgically and the patient discharged without complications.

DISCUSSION

Numerous theories have been established to explain the pathogenesis of synovial cyst. Biomechanical alterations of the spine play a significant role in the development of synovial cyst. However, the etiology is still unclear.

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment should be considered in cervical synovial cysts with neurologic deficit or with cord compression or when the conservative treatment is ineffective.

Synovial cysts of the cervicothoracic junction causing myelopathy: report of 3 cases and review of the literature

Synovial cysts are uncommon pathological entities in patients with cervical degenerative spinal disease, and there are only a few reports in the literature. Treatment typically involves decompression; however, biomechanical data indicate that laminectomies in the cervical spine also result in cervical instability, specifically within the cervicothoracic junction, supporting the use of fusion as well. The authors describe the use of fusion with decompression in the treatment of 3 patients with cervicothoracic synovial cysts that presented in an acute fashion with associated myelopathy and neurological decline, and they review the diagnostic elements, histopathology, and treatment of these cysts. All 3 of the patients did well with decompression via a posterior approach with a single-level instrumented fusion from C-7 to T-1. Each patient regained complete neurological function and had no residual neurological deficits. These results are promising, although the sample size of 3 cases is too small to make any conclusive evaluations. Future studies incorporating Class I and Class II data are imperative to make firm conclusions regarding general management of this rare entity.

Symptomatic facet cysts of the subaxial cervical spine

Subaxial cervical facet cysts are uncommon. We report two patients with intraspinal, extradural, subaxial cervical spinal facet cysts, and review the literature to describe the epidemiology, clinical presentation, imaging findings, and treatment options for these lesions. Intraspinal, extradural, cervical spinal cysts should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with clinical signs of cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy.

Subaxial cervical juxtafacet cysts: single institution surgical experience and literature review

OBJECTIVES

Juxtafacet cysts (JFCs) of the subaxial cervical spine are rare causes of neurological deficits. Their imaging characteristics, relationship to segmental instability, and potential for inducing acute symptomatic deterioration have only been described in a few case reports and small case series. The objective of the current study was to review the surgical experience at our center and across the literature to better define these variables.

METHODS

A single-institution, multisurgeon series of 12 consecutive patients (mean age 63.4 years, range 52-83 years) harboring 14 JFCs treated across 9 years was retrospectively reviewed. Clinical history, neurological status, preoperative imaging, operative findings, pathology, and postoperative outcomes were obtained from medical records. The mean follow up was 9.2 ± 7.8 months. A literature review identified 35 studies with 89 previously reported cases of surgically treated subaxial cervical JFCs.

RESULTS

Consistent with previously reported cases, most JFCs in our series involved the C7/T1 level. Nine patients reported axial neck pain, 12 patients had radicular symptoms, four patients had myelopathy, and one patient experienced rapid neurological decline attributable to cystic hemorrhage. Cyst expansion without hemorrhage caused subacute deterioration in one patient. All patients experienced sensory and/or motor improvement following surgical decompression. Preoperative axial neck pain improved in eight of nine patients (89 %). Seven out of 12 patients (58 %) underwent fusion either at the time of decompression (six patients) or at a delayed timepoint within the follow-up period (one patient). Prior history of cervical instrumentation, hypermobility on dynamic imaging, and other risk factors for segmental instability were more common in our series than in previous reports.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings lead us to advocate for early decompression rather than prolonged conservative treatment, for pre- and postoperative dynamic imaging, and for fusion in selected cases as an initial surgical consideration.

Cervical juxtafacet cyst after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a common neurosurgical procedure, and the benefits, long-term outcomes, and complications are well described in the literature. The development of a juxtafacet joint cyst resulting in radiculopathy is a rare outcome after ACDF and merits further description. The authors describe a patient in whom a juxtafacet joint cyst developed after ACDF procedures, resulting in surgical intervention. When a juxtafacet joint cyst develops after ACDF, symptoms can include radiculopathy, neck pain, and neurological symptoms such as paresthesias and motor weakness. The presence of a juxtafacet joint cyst implies instability in that region of the spine. Patients with this pathological entity may require decompression of neural elements and fusion across the segment involved with the cyst.

Cervical juxtafacet cyst with myelopathy due to postoperative instability. Case report

A 74-year-old man presented with a cervical juxtafacet cyst on the right side of C5-6 and prominent myelopathy. He had been treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at C4-5 as well as anterior foraminotomy of the right C5-6 lesion 20 months previously. The patient underwent complete surgical excision of the lesion. The patient recovered uneventfully, and the myelopathy resolved. Reexamination of the images revealed that we failed to investigate a suspicious minimal cervical juxtafacet cyst on the initial preoperative images and that the degree of subluxation at C5-6 on flexion radiography had increased postoperatively. Therefore, the surgeon should be aware that juxtafacet cyst can be progressive in planning of cervical spinal surgery which can cause or aggravate instability in the presence of an incidental, suspicious juxtafacet cyst on preoperative imaging at the same level, even if the lesion is very small and subclinical.

Recurrent back and leg pain and cyst reformation after surgical resection of spinal synovial cysts: systematic review of reported postoperative outcomes

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

With improvements in neurological imaging, there are increasing reports of symptomatic spinal synovial cysts. Surgical excision has been recognized as the definitive treatment for symptomatic juxtafacet cysts. However, the role for concomitant fusion and the incidence of recurrent back pain and recurrent cyst formation after surgery remain unclear.

PURPOSE

To determine the cumulative incidence of postoperative symptomatic relief, recurrent back and leg pain after cyst resection and decompression, and synovial cyst recurrence.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review of the literature.

PATIENT SAMPLE

All published studies to date reporting outcomes of synovial cyst excision with and without spinal fusion.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Cyst recurrence and Kawabata, Macnab, Prolo, or Stauffer pain scales.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature review of all articles published between 1970 and 2009 reporting outcomes after surgical management of spinal synovial cysts.

RESULTS

Eighty-two published studies encompassing 966 patients were identified and reviewed. Six hundred seventy-two (69.6%) patients presented with radicular pain and 467 (48.3%) with back pain. The most commonly involved spinal level was L4-L5 (75.4%), with only 25 (2.6%) and 12 (1.2%) reported synovial cysts in the cervical or thoracic area, respectively. Eight hundred eleven (84.0%) patients were treated with decompressive surgical excision alone, whereas 155 (16.0%) received additional concomitant spinal fusion. Six hundred fifty-four (92.5%) and 880 (91.1%) patients experienced complete resolution of their back or leg pain after surgery, respectively. By a mean follow-up of 25.4 months, back and leg pain recurred in 155 (21.9%) and 123 (12.7%) patients, respectively. Sixty (6.2%) patients required reoperation, of which the majority (n=47) required fusion for correction of spinal instability and mechanical back pain. Same-level synovial cyst recurrence occurred in 17 (1.8%) patients after decompression alone but has been reported in no (0%) patients after decompression and fusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical decompression results in symptomatic resolution in the vast majority of patients; however, recurrent back pain occurs in a significant number of patients. Cyst recurrence occurs in less than 2% of patients but has never been reported after cyst excision with concomitant fusion. The lack of cyst recurrence after concomitant fusion supports the need to investigate the value of fusion of the involved motion segment in the treatment of symptomatic synovial cysts of the spine.

Factors associated with recurrent back pain and cyst recurrence after surgical resection of one hundred ninety-five spinal synovial cysts: analysis of one hundred sixty-seven consecutive cases

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

Compare outcomes of different treatment methods for intraspinal synovial cysts.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Intraspinal synovial cysts are cited as an increasing cause of back pain and radiculopathy. To date, few studies have compared outcomes of differing treatment methods in patients with synovial cysts.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 167 consecutive patients undergoing surgical management of 195 symptomatic synovial cysts at a single institution over 19 years. The incidence of postoperative mechanical back pain, radiculopathy, and cyst recurrence was compared between patients undergoing unilateral hemilaminectomy (n = 51), bilateral laminectomy (n = 39), facetectomy with in situ fusion (n = 18), and facetectomy with instrumented fusion (n = 56).

RESULTS

A total of 155 (97.5%) patients presented with radiculopathy, 132(82.5%) with mechanical back pain, 31 (20%) with neurogenic claudication, and 5 (3.2%) with bladder dysfunction. Most cysts occurred in the lumbar spine. After surgery, back and radicular pain improved in 91.6% and 91.9% patients, respectively. By a mean follow-up of 16 +/- 9 months, 36 (21.6%) patients developed recurrent back pain, 20 (11.8%) recurrent leg pain, and 5 (3%) recurrent synovial cysts. Patients undergoing laminectomy had a significantly increased cyst recurrence incidence compared to fusion groups via log-rank test (P = 0.042), and this risk was decreased to baseline with instrumented fusion on reoperation. Laminectomy was also associated with the highest increased risk of recurrent back pain in both log-rank test (P = 0.018) and proportional hazards regression (HR): 1.64 (1.00-3.45), P = 0.05. Instrumented fusion had the lowest risk for back pain recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Hemilaminectomy or laminectomy remains one of the mainstay surgical treatments for symptomatic intraspinal synovial cysts. Our experience shows that the majority of patients undergoing decompression/excision of synovial cysts will have immediate improvement in back and leg pain. However, within 2 years, patients receiving hemilaminectomy or laminectomy alone have an increased incidence of back pain and cyst recurrence. Decompression with instrumented fusion appears to be associated with the lowest incidences of cyst recurrence or back pain.

Spinal synovial cysts: pathogenesis, diagnosis and surgical treatment in a series of seven cases and literature review

This study is designed based on the retrospective analysis of patients treated in the Neurosurgical Department of two major hospitals and review of the literature. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of surgery and address controversial issues in the treatment of symptomatic lumbar intraspinal synovial cysts. Spinal juxtafacet cysts (synovial and ganglion cysts) are a rare cause of low back and radicular leg pain. Although the relevant reports in the international literature are increasing, the controversy about conservative versus surgical treatment and the need for concomitant fusion still exists. Data from seven patients (age range 58-69 years, mean age 61 years) with low back and radicular leg pain due to a lumbar facet joint cyst were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, cyst level, presence of concomitant local pathology, treatment and results of treatment were recorded. A follow-up of at least 6 months (range 6-48 months) was conducted and results were noted. All patients had back pain, while five also experienced unilateral radicular leg pain and one had bilateral leg pain. One patient had neurogenic claudication. MRI identified the cyst and highlighted underlying pathology in all cases. All patients underwent surgical cyst excision. No fusion was performed. Post-operatively, all patients showed a total resolution of symptoms with sustained benefit at final evaluation. Review of the literature revealed a trend towards surgery, as this is correlated to a more favorable outcome compared with conservative treatment. Fusion should be performed on a case-by-case basis only. Surgery is a safe and effective treatment choice in this increasingly appearing ailment. A prospective, randomized trial should clarify issues under debate.