JUXTA FACET CYSTS - PATHOGENESIS, CLINICA L SYMPTOMS AND THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT

The term ''juxta facet cyst'' was coined in 1974 by Kao et al. and com bines synovial cysts arising from the synovial outpouchings through ar eas of weakened or destroyed capsular tissue and ganglion cysts develo ping from mucinous degeneration of periarticular connective tissue. We have operated an 16 patients with juxta facet cysts during the last 3 years. One cyst was located in the thoracic spine, causing a transver se syndrome; 15 cysts were located in the lumbar spine, causing nerve root compression. Diagnosis was established preoperatively by MR in 10 and CT in 3 cases, respectively. The definite classification of the c ystic processes was made by histopathologic examination. Surgical trea tment consisted of resection of the cyst. Postoperatively, all but 2 p atients were free of complaints and no recurrence was observed in the mean follow-up period of 15.5 months. Juxta facet cysts are an uncommo n finding, but must be considered in the differential diagnosis of epi dural compressive syndromes of the spine.