Intraspinal cervical degenerative cyst. Report of three cases

Facet cysts in the subaxial cervical spine: Case series focused on radiological and histopathological findings with a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Facet cysts in the subaxial cervical spine are a relatively rare cause of neuropathy. This case series aimed to investigate the radiological and histopathological features and surgical results of these lesions, and provide possible mechanisms of cyst development.

METHODS

Thirteen subaxial cervical facet cysts in 12 patients were diagnosed on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography with facet arthrography. Surgical outcomes were evaluated according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores for cervical myelopathy, or Tanaka's scores for cervical radiculopathy. These results were presented in combination with a scoping review of the literature.

RESULTS

Seven cysts were found in the posteromedial region, and six in the posterolateral portion of the spinal canal. Computed tomography revealed degeneration of all involved facet joints. All patients underwent decompression, and the mean recovery rates of Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores and Tanaka's scores were 57.1% and 87.5%, respectively. Histopathologically, all cysts were continuous with the degenerated ligamentum flavum. In the scoping review, the patients' mean age was 65.1 years. The cysts were distributed as follows: 3.6% at C2-3, 10.7% at C3-4, 14.3% at C4-5, 5.4% at C5-6, 7.1% at C6-7, and 58.9% at C7-T1. The presenting symptoms were myelopathy (49.4%) and radiculopathy (50.0%). Radiologically, 55% and 45% of the cysts were of the posteromedial and posterolateral types. Of the patients, 76.9% underwent decompression only, and 23.1% had concomitant fusion. Cyst recurrence was not observed in the mean follow-up period of 15.1 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The pathogenesis of cysts is closely related to degenerative changes in the facet joint and ligamentum flavum, and rupture in degenerated ligaments can develop into a cavity, which contributes to cyst formation. The scoping review suggests that cyst resection generally results in positive outcomes without recurrence in either decompression alone or concomitant fusion.

Intraspinal Degenerative Cyst Causing Compression Of Cervicomedullary Junction

BACKGROUND

Intraspinal degenerative cysts in the cervical region are rare disorders that may cause myelopathy or radiculopathy. Most of the intraspinal degenerative cysts reported are extradural cysts. This case report includes the neuroimaging, intraoperative, pathologic, and postoperative findings obtained in a patient with a degenerative intradural cyst at the craniovertebral (CV) junction.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report a patient presenting with progressive spastic quadriparesis resulting from compressive myelopathy due to intradural degenerative cyst at the CV junction. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed the intradural cyst at the cervicomedullary junction with degenerative changes causing myelopathy. We performed decompression of the CV junction, and histopathology of the cyst revealed degenerative cyst. Postoperatively the symptoms were relieved with no apparent complication. Intraspinal degenerative cysts causing compressive myelopathy are rare. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of intradural degenerative cyst at the CV junction.

CONCLUSIONS

In this case report, we demonstrated the clinical, imaging, intraoperative, and pathologic features of a degenerative intraspinal cyst at the CV junction that was intradural in location. Compression of the spinal cord resulted in a gradually progressive myelopathy that showed remarkable improvement immediately after decompression by cystectomy.

Midline Ligamentum Flavum Cyst of Lumbar Spine

BACKGROUND

Ligamentum flavum cysts are thought to develop due to facet joint hypermobility; however, the etiology of these lesions is not completely elucidated. These cysts may lead to compressive pathologies of the spine requiring surgical intervention.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a 63-year-old male with chronic back pain and progressive neurogenic claudication for 6 months. He was found to have a ligamentum flavum cyst situated along the dorsal midline of the lumbar spinal canal contributing to spinal stenosis. The patient underwent a decompressive L4 laminectomy and en bloc excision of the ligamentum flavum cyst with complete resolution of his symptoms postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that chronic mechanical stress leads to degeneration of the ligamentum flavum and contributes directly to cyst formation.

Bilateral Ganglion Cysts of the Ligamentum Flavum in the Cervical Spine Causing a Progressive Cervical Radiculomyelopathy and Literature Review

Here we report a unique case of bilateral ganglion cysts originating from the ligamentum flavum in the cervical spine. Degenerative cysts of the ligamentum flavum are rare lesions, and most had been reported in the lumbar spine. Its occurrence in the cervical spine is extremely rare: only eight have been reported. A 66-year-old male patient presented with progressive paraparesis, pain, and paresthesia in his bilateral T1 dermatomes that had lasted for three weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine demonstrated a well-demarcated cystic lesion in the bilateral dorsolateral aspects of the C7/T1 segment and significant compression of the cervical cord. All case reports of ganglion cysts of the cervical ligamentum flavum including the present one showed characteristic symptoms and signs of myelopathy such as paraparesis or quadriparesis associated with varying degrees of paresthesia or pain in the upper extremities. Ganglion cysts of the cervical ligamentum flavum are considered a cause of cervical radiculomyelopathy due to cervical intraspinal cystic lesions. Bilateral occurrence and associated subluxation of the involved cervical segments again support the degenerative pathogenesis of ganglion cysts of the ligamentum flavum in the cervical spine.

Ventral Lumbar Synovial Cyst Causing Cauda Equina Compression: Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Juxtafacet spinal cysts are cystic synovial lesions that often are indistinguishable clinically or radiologically and require histopathology analysis to confirm the diagnosis. Lumbar synovial cysts usually arising from the synovium of the facet joints. They have been described posterolaterally or rarely in the posterior midline. However, we describe the first synovial cyst ventral to the dural sac.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report a lumbar 3-4 lesion causing cauda equina compression in a 57-year-old man who presented with a 3-month history of low back pain and bilateral sciatica, intermittent urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging suggested prolapsed disc, after decompression, histological analysis of the fragment confirmed a synovial cyst.

CONCLUSIONS

Hitherto synovial cysts have not been reported anterior to the dural sac. We describe a lumbar ventral cystic mass with cauda equina compression that mimicked a disc prolapse due to synovial metaplasia. The patient had urgent decompression with subsequent resolution of the symptoms.

Ligamentum flavum cyst of lumbar spine: a case report and literature review

Ligamentum flavum cysts have rarely been reported and known to be the uncommon cause of spinal compression and radiculopathy. A 63-year-old man presented right sciatica lasting for 1 month. Lumbar computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an extradural cystic mass adjacent to the L5-S1 facet joints. Partial hemilaminectomy and flavectomy at the L5-S1 space were performed, and then the cystic mass was excised. Histopathology confirmed a connective tissue cyst, which is consistent with the ligamentum flavum. Microscopic examination of the cyst wall revealed that it is closely packed collagen fibril. The symptom of patient was improved after surgery. Because of rarity of ligamentum flavum cysts and nonspecific clinical and radiologic findings, the preoperative diagnosis is not easy. The histologic features of ligamentum flavum cysts are distinct from other cystic lesion of lumbar spine. This study presents a case and literature review of ligamentum flavum cyst. We summarize the pathophysiology, occurrence, differential diagnosis of rare ligamentum flavum cyst, especially on lumbar spine.

Cervical degenerative intraspinal cyst: a case report and literature review involving 132 cases

Intraspinal and extradural cysts in the cervical spine are rare disorders that may cause myelopathy or radiculopathy. A synovial cyst or ganglion derived from the facet joint and that from a ligamentum flavum have been reported. We report a surgical case of degenerative intraspinal cyst, causing cervical myelopathy. MRI of a case revealed cystic lesion at C4-5. Spinal cord was compressed by cyst and symptoms of myelopathy were also observed. The patient with cervical spinal canal stenosis underwent laminoplasty and excision of the cyst. The patient recovered well immediately after the surgery. Literature review showed that 133 patients have been reported, including the present case. Previous reports indicated that most cysts occurred in old patients and at the atlanto-axial or C7-T1 junction, and laminectomy or laminoplasty with excision of the cyst gave good results in most cases.

A cervical ligamentum flavum cyst in an 82-year-old woman presenting with spinal cord compression: a case report and review of the literature

Introduction

We report on a very rare case of a cervical ligamentum flavum cyst, which presented with progressive myelopathy and radiculopathy. The cyst was radically extirpated and our patient showed significant recovery. A review of the relevant literature yielded seven cases.

Case presentation

An 82-year-old Greek woman presented with progressive bilateral weakness of her upper extremities and causalgia, cervical pain, episodes of upper extremity numbness and significant walking difficulties. Her neurological examination showed diffusely decreased motor strength in both her upper and lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging of her cervical spine demonstrated a large, well-demarcated cystic lesion on the dorsal aspect of her spinal cord at the C3 to C4 level, significantly compressing the spinal cord at this level, in close proximity to the yellow ligament and the C3 left lamina. The largest diameter of this lesion was 1.4 cm, and there was no lesion enhancement after the intravenous administration of a paramagnetic contrast. The lesion was surgically removed after a bilateral C3 laminectomy. The thick cystic wall was yellow and fibro-elastic in consistency, while its content was gelatinous and yellow-brownish. A postoperative cervical-spine magnetic resonance image was obtained before her discharge, demonstrating decompression of her spinal cord and dural expansion. Her six-month follow-up evaluation revealed complete resolution of her walking difficulties, improvement in the muscle strength of her arms (4+/5 in all the affected muscle groups), no causalgia and a significant decrease in her preoperative upper extremity numbness.

Conclusion

Cervical ligamentum flavum cysts are rare benign lesions, which should be included in the list of differential diagnosis of spinal cystic lesions. They can be differentiated from other intracanalicular lesions by their hypointense appearance on T₁-weighted and hyperintense appearance on T₂-weighted magnetic resonance images, with contrast enhancement of the cystic wall. Surgical extirpation of the cyst is required for symptom alleviation and decompression of the spinal cord. The outcome of these cysts is excellent with no risk of recurrence.

Cervical synovial cyst: case report and review of literature

Synovial cysts, typically observed in the lumbar spine eventually associated with degenerative changes of the facet joints, only rarely present in the cervical spine. Up to now, only 28 symptomatic cases are described in literature. Typically, the treatment of these cases is a decompressive laminectomy followed by complete surgical removal of the lesion. The authors present the case of an 84-year-old man with a symptomatic synovial cyst involving the space between C7 and T1.

Ligamentum flavum cyst in the lumbar spine: a case report and review of the literature

Degenerative changes in the lumbar spine can be followed by cystic changes. Most reported intraspinal cysts are ganglion or synovial cysts. Ligamentum flavum pseudocyst, as a cystic lesion in the lumbar spine, is a rare and unusual cause of neurologic signs and symptoms and is usually seen in elderly persons (due to degenerative changes). They are preferentially located in the lower lumbar region, while cervical localization is rare. Complete removal of the cyst leads to excellent results and seems to preclude recurrence. We report the case of a right-sided ligamentum flavum cyst occurring at L3–L4 level in a 70-year-old woman, which was surgically removed with excellent postoperative results and complete resolution of symptoms. In addition, we discuss and review reports in the literature.

Acute Hemorrhagic Cyst of the Ligamentum Flavum

STUDY DESIGN

A case report and clinical discussion.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a rare complication of a cyst of the ligamentum flavum, which bled spontaneously, provoking an acute lower limb monoparesis and lumbar sciatic pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUNDS DATA: Cysts of the ligamentum flavum have been rarely reported. Intraspinal degenerative cysts described in literature are usually juxta-articular (synovial and ganglion) cysts and have a similar radiologic appearance. They are preferentially located in the lumbar spine, while the cervical localization is unusual. Hemorrhage into the cyst is an uncommon complication and an extremely rare cause of nerve root compression.

METHODS

A 59-year-old woman presented with sudden severe radicular lumbar deficit and pain secondary to acute hemorrhage into a ligamentum flavum cyst. Magnetic resonance imaging showed at L3-L4 level a lobulated slightly hyperintense mass with a ventral area of marked hyperintensity in T1 images, hypointense on T2 images. Signal within the lesion was suggestive of intralesional hemorrhage.

RESULTS

Complete resection of the lesion was performed, resulting in immediate recovery. The cyst was quite rounded, brownish, and contained rest of both partially fresh and coagulated hematoma. Histologic examination revealed myxoid degeneration of the ligamentum flavum with an hemorrage in the cystic cavity without a synovial layer.

CONCLUSIONS

This report identifies a rare case of radicular lumbar deficit and pain secondary to acute hemorrhage into a ligamentum flavum cyst. The pathogenesis and clinicopathologic characteristics of this lesion are described.

Cervical degenerative cyst located within the body of C2: a case report and review of the literature

STUDY DESIGN

A case report and review of the literature are presented.

OBJECTIVES

To describe the clinical course and treatment of a patient with an unusual intraosseous degenerative cyst within the body of the axis, as well as review the literature regarding these lesions.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Intraosseous degenerative cysts of the cervical spine are extremely rare. To our knowledge, only 4 prior case studies have described these lesions, 2 of which were seen in the body of C2.

METHODS

A case report of a 58-year-old patient with neck pain and an intraosseous cyst within the axis is presented with a review of the pertinent literature.

RESULTS

History, examination, radiographic evaluation, and histology revealed this lesion to be an intraosseous degenerative cyst within the body of C2. The patient was treated with anterior surgical biopsy/curettage and posterior stabilization with structural graft enhancement.

CONCLUSION

Although rare, intraosseous cervical degenerative cysts should be present in any differential diagnosis of cystic lesions seen in the cervical spine.

Ligamentum flavum cysts causing incapacitating lumbar spinal stenosis

BACKGROUND

Cysts of the ligamentum flavum are rare and unusual causes of spinal compression.

METHODS

We report our experience of four cases of ligamentum flavum cysts occurring in the lumbar spine and discuss some of the possible etiologies and pathophysiologic mechanisms according to the available literature.

CONCLUSION

This entity is clearly different from the synovial facet-joints or ganglion cysts.

Cervical cyst of the ligamentum flavum and C7-T1 subluxation: case report

A patient with progressive gait disturbance resulting from a cyst of the cervical ligamentum flavum associated with C7-T1 listhesis is reported. Surgical removal of the cyst improved the patient's myelopathy. Intraspinal degenerative cysts are preferentially located in the lumbar region:unusual is the cervical localization. Differential diagnosis includes ligamentum flavum cyst, synovial and ganglion cysts. Association between degenerative intraspinal cysts and listhesis is discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first case of cyst of the ligamentum flavum associated with cervical subluxation.