Lumbar Discal Cyst Causing Bilateral Radiculopathy
Author Information
Author(s): Hyung-Jun Kwak, Dae-Yong Kim, Tae-Ho Kim, Ho-Sang Park, Jae-Sung Kim, Jae-Won Jang, Jung-Kil Lee
Primary Institution: Department of Neurosurgery, Dong Gwang Ju Woori Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
Hypothesis
Can a discal cyst cause bilateral radiculopathy?
Conclusion
Surgical excision of a lumbar discal cyst can lead to immediate and sustained relief of bilateral radiculopathy.
Supporting Evidence
- The patient presented with bilateral sciatica and neurogenic claudication for 3 months.
- Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic lesion compressing the thecal sac.
- The cyst was completely excised without entering the disc space.
- The patient achieved complete pain relief immediately after surgery.
- Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a discal cyst.
- Follow-up MRI showed no evidence of recurrence or progression of disc degeneration.
Takeaway
A woman had a rare type of back pain caused by a cyst on her spine, and after doctors removed it, she felt better right away and stayed that way for two years.
Methodology
The patient underwent total excision of the cyst after a left hemipartial laminectomy of L3.
Limitations
The study is based on a single case report, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
A 48-year-old female.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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