CYST OF THE LIGAMENTUM-FLAVUM OF THE LUMB AR SPINE - DESCRIPTION OF 6CASES

Cysts of the ligamentum flavum of the lumbar spine have seldom been de scribed. They are clearly visible in computed tomography as well as nu clear magnetic resonance, but are frequently wrongly diagnosed as gang lion or synovial cysts. The correct diagnosis is not feasible until af ter surgery. Such space occupying lesions can most often lead to unira dicular pain due to compression of a root. These cysts should be viewe d as part of the degenerative process of the spine but not as tumor le sions. They need to be removed only in case of root entrapment. On the basis of six of our cases treated by surgery we describe the symptoms , imaging findings, operative techniques and pathological investigatio ns.