J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2012 Dec;52(6):567-569. 10.3340/jkns.2012.52.6.567.

Hemorrhagic Lumbar Synovial Cyst

• Park HS
• Sim HB
• Kwon SC
• Park JB

• KMID: 1426271
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2012.52.6.567

Abstract

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.

Keyword

Lumbar spine; Synovial cyst; Hemorrhage

MeSH Terms

Back Pain
Hemorrhage
Radiculopathy
Spinal Canal
Spinal Cord
Spine
Synovial Cyst

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Magnetic resonance images are showing the presence of a cystic mass in the right L2-L3 facet joint with arthritis compressing the L3 right root and the dural sac. There are showing a hyperintense on T1-weighted image (A and B) and hypointense on T2-weighted image (C and D) consistent with hemorrhage.

• 

  Fig. 2 Histological appearance of the hemorrhagic synovial cyst showing synovial cell lining, fibroconnective tissue with widespread hemorrhage, neoangiogenesis, and hemosiderin microdeposits (hematoxylin-eosin stain, ×200).

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