Abstract
Objective
The majority of lumbar facet joint cysts (LFJCs) are located in the spinal canal, on the medial aspect of the facet joint with characteristic diagnostic features. When they migrate away from the joint of origin, they cause diagnostic problems.
Materials and methods
In a 7-year period we examined by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging five unusual cases of facet joint cysts which migrated from the facet joint of origin.
Results
Three LFJCs were identified in the right S1 foramen, one in the right L5-S1 neural foramen and one in the left erector spinae and multifidus muscles between the levels of L2–L4 spinous process.
Conclusions
Awareness that spinal lesions identified at MRI and CT could be due to migrating facet joint cyst requires a high level of suspicion. The identification of the appositional contact of the cyst and the facet joint needs to be actively sought in the presence of degenerative facet joints.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Steiner E, Steinbach LS, Schnarkowski P, Tirman PF, Genant HK. Ganglia and cysts around joints. Radiol Clin North Am 1996;34:395–425, xi–xii
Jackson DE Jr, Atlas SW, Mani JR, Norman D. Intraspinal synovial cysts: MR imaging. Radiology 1989;170:527–530
Hsu KY, Zucherman JF, Shea WJ, Jeffrey RA. Lumbar intraspinal synovial and ganglion cysts (facet cysts). Ten-year experience in evaluation and treatment. Spine 1995;20:80–89
Prestar FJ. Juxta facet cysts of the lumbar spine. Minim Invasive Neurosurg 1996;39:45–49
Onofrio BM, Mih AD. Synovial cysts of the spine. Neurosurgery 1988;22:642–647
Gadgil AA, Eisenstein SM, Darby A, Cassar Pullicino V. Bilateral symptomatic synovial cysts of the lumbar spine caused by calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease: a case report. Spine 2002;27:E428–E431
Finckh A, Gerster J, So AK. Association of spondylarthropathies with lumbar synovial cysts. Clin Rheumatol 2003;22:67–69
Wang YY, McKelvie P, Trost N, Murphy MA. Trauma as a precipitant of haemorrhage in synovial cysts. J Clin Neurosci 2004;11:436–439
Artico M, Cervoni L, Carloia S, Stevanato G, Mastantuono M, Nucci F. Synovial cysts: clinical and neuroradiological aspects. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 1997;139:176–181
Awwad EE, Sundaram M, Bucholz RD. Post-traumatic spinal synovial cyst with spondylolysis: CT features. J Comput Assist Tomogr 1989;13:334–337
Lemish W, Apsimon T, Chakera T. Lumbar intraspinal synovial cysts. Recognition and CT diagnosis. Spine 1989;14:1378–1383
Silbergleit R, Gebarski SS, Brunberg JA, McGillicudy J, Blaivas M. Lumbar synovial cysts: correlation of myelographic, CT, MR, and pathologic findings. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 1990;11:777–779
Pendleton B, Carl B, Pollay M. Spinal extradural benign synovial or ganglion cyst: case report and review of the literature. Neurosurgery 1983;13:322–326
Howling SJ, Kessel D. Case report: acute radiculopathy due to a haemorrhagic lumbar synovial cyst. Clin Radiol 1997;52:73–74
Metellus P, Fuentes S, Dufour H, Do L, Figarella-Branger D, Grisoli F. An unusual presentation of a lumbar synovial cyst: case report. Spine 2002;27:E278–E280
Swartz PG, Murtagh FR. Spontaneous resolution of an intraspinal synovial cyst. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2003;24:1261–1263
Maupin WB, Naul LG, Kanter SL, Chang CS. Synovial cyst presenting as a neural foraminal lesion: MR and CT appearance. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1989;153:1231–1232
Phuong LK, Atkinson JL, Thielen KR. Far lateral extraforaminal lumbar synovial cyst: report of two cases. Neurosurgery 2002;51:505–507; discussion 507–508
Salmon BL, Deprez MP, Stevenaert AE, Martin DH. The extraforaminal juxtafacet cyst as a rare cause of L5 radiculopathy: a case report. Spine 2003;28:E405–E407
Schmid G, Willburger R, Jergas M, Pennekamp W, Bickert U, Koster O. Lumbar intraspinal juxtafacet cysts: MR imaging and CT-arthrography. Rofo 2002;174:1247–1252
Parlier-Cuau C, Wybier M, Nizard R, Champsaur P, Le Hir P, Laredo JD. Symptomatic lumbar facet joint synovial cysts: clinical assessment of facet joint steroid injection after 1 and 6 months and long-term follow-up in 30 patients. Radiology 1999;210:509–513
Apostolaki E, Davies AM, Evans N, Cassar-Pullicino VN. MR imaging of lumbar facet joint synovial cysts. Eur Radiol 2000;10:615–623
Paolini S, Ciappetta P, Santoro A, Ramieri A. Rapid, symptomatic enlargement of lumbar juxtafacet cyst: case report. Spine 2002;27:E281–E283
Garnero P, Mazieres B, Gueguen A, et al. Cross-sectional association of 10 molecular markers of bone, cartilage, and synovium with disease activity and radiological joint damage in patients with hip osteoarthritis: the ECHODIAH cohort. J Rheumatol 2005;32:697–703
Resnick D, Niwayama G, Coutts RD. Subchondral cysts (geodes) in arthritic disorders: pathologic and radiographic appearance of the hip joint. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1977;128:799–806
Le Breton C, Garreau de Loubresse C, Awky J, et al. L5 radicular pain related to a cystic lesion of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Eur Radiol 2000;10:1812–1814
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Palmieri, F., Cassar-Pullicino, V.N., Lalam, R.K. et al. Migrating lumbar facet joint cysts. Skeletal Radiol 35, 220–226 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-005-0072-2
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-005-0072-2