Korean J Pain.  2014 Jan;27(1):86-89. 10.3344/kjp.2014.27.1.86.

Radiculopathy Caused by Discal Cyst

• Kim SY

• KMID: 2278209
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2014.27.1.86

Abstract

Discal cyst is an intraspinal cyst with a distinct communication with the corresponding intervertebral disc. It is a rare condition and could present with radiculopathy similar to that caused by lumbar disc herniation. We present a patient with a large discal cyst in the ventrolateral epidural space of the 5th lumbar vertebral (L5) level that communicated with the adjacent 4th lumbar and 5th lumbar intervertebral disc, causing L5 radiculopathy. We alleviated the radiating pain with selective transforaminal epidural blocks.

Keyword

epidural; injections; intervertebral disc displacement; radiculopathy; spine

MeSH Terms

Epidural Space
Humans
Intervertebral Disc
Intervertebral Disc Displacement
Radiculopathy*
Spine

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine. Sagittal image showed a cyst in the ventrolateral epidural space of the 5th lumbar vertebral (L5) level that communicated with the adjacent 4th lumbar and 5th lumbar intervertebral disc (arrow).

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  Fig. 2 Axial T2-weighted (A) and T1-weighted (B) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the 5th lumbar vertebra. The cystic mass showed high signal intensity on T2-weighted images and low signal intensity on T1-weighted images (arrow).

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  Fig. 3 Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine. Sagittal (A) and axial (B) images showed that the cystic mass had a thick wall with rim enhancement.

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