Radiculopathy due to spontaneous facetal cyst hemorrhage

Facetal cysts are usually encountered as incidental radiological findings in spinal imaging studies. Only rarely can neurological symptoms be attributed to them. These cysts are lined by vascularized synovial tissue. There are few reports in literature of hemorrhagic transformation in these cysts wi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Prasad Krishnan, Sugat Sanyal, Sayan Das
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2014-01-01
Series:Journal of Craniovertebral Junction and Spine
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jcvjs.com/article.asp?issn=0974-8237;year=2014;volume=5;issue=4;spage=167;epage=169;aulast=Krishnan
Description
Summary:Facetal cysts are usually encountered as incidental radiological findings in spinal imaging studies. Only rarely can neurological symptoms be attributed to them. These cysts are lined by vascularized synovial tissue. There are few reports in literature of hemorrhagic transformation in these cysts with sudden increase in size precipitating symptoms acutely. We report one such case where the existence of a hitherto undiagnosed cyst was unmasked by the haemorrhage. There is a need to be aware of this complication in patients with untreated or incidentally diagnosed cysts so that any sudden neurological deterioration can be dealt with promptly.
ISSN:0974-8237