Lumbar L4-L5 ganglion cyst with hemicauda equina syndrome

• Main Authors: Gabriel Iacob, Bogdan Rotund
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Academic Publishing 2013-12-01
• Series: Romanian Neurosurgery
• Subjects: ganglion cyst; synovial cyst; juxtafacet cyst; degenerative spine disease; cauda equine syndrome; spinal fusion
• Online Access: https://www.journals.lapub.co.uk/index.php/roneurosurgery/article/view/710
• ISSN: 1220-8841; 2344-4959

Mostly associated with degenerative facet joints and spondylolisthesis, symptomatic lumbar juxta facet cysts - ganglion and synovial cysts are uncommon lesions of the spine. They can mimic herniated discs, causing low back pain, radiculopathy or even cauda equina syndrome; also some of them are associated with spinal instability. Referring to a case with hemicauda equina syndrome where microsurgical decompression was performed with very good result; alternative treatment solutions are discussed: conservative therapy for symptomatic lesions is often unsuccessful, spinal fusion should be made for those cases with spinal instability, although there are reports of spontaneous resolution of these cysts as well as the symptoms associated with them.