J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2006 Jun;13(2):138-141. 10.4184/jkss.2006.13.2.138.

Symptomatic Ganglion Cyst at the Facet Joint of the Lumbar Spine

• Na HY
• Choi JC
• Shim DJ
• Choi JW
• Lee SH
• Lee SY

• KMID: 2097831
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2006.13.2.138

Abstract

Ganglion cyst of the lumbar facet joint is a rare elsion. We have experienced a patient who had right leg radiating pain and he was diagnosed with ganglion cyst in the lumbar facet joint. On the MRI images, an 0.8cm sized round mass was located on the anterior aspect of the right side facet joint between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebra. It was compressing the right 4th spinal root. After surgical excision, his symptoms were disappeared. Ganglion cyst of the spine occurs most commonly in the facet joint between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebra, which is the most mobile back joint. It must be considered as part of the differential diagnosis of herniated lumbar intervertebral disc.

Keyword

Lumbar; Facet joint; Ganglion cyst

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis, Differential
Ganglion Cysts*
Humans
Intervertebral Disc
Joints
Leg
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Spinal Nerve Roots
Spine*
Zygapophyseal Joint*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. T1-weighted and T2-weighted MRI image shows 0.8 cm sized cystic mass with high signal inten-sity in right facet joint between 4th and 5th lumbar vertebra.

• 

  Fig. 2. Pathologic specimen shows 0.7 0.7 0.5 cm sized cystic mass with fibrous wall without lining epithelium.

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