LAUSR

AIM The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of symptomatic lumbar synovial facet cysts in lumbar spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients who admitted to neurosurgery clinic of our institution, retrospectively. Also, we aimed to report the clinic and radiologic outcome of patients with symptomatic spinal synovial cyst, who undergo conservative treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS One thousand two hundred forty-three patients who admitted to Ordu University Neurosurgery outpatient clinic between 2015-2019 and underwent lumbosacral Magnetic resonance imaging and lumbosacral computed tomography examinations were reviewed retrospectively. The disappearance of cysts during radiologic follow up was accepted as spontaneous complete resolution, besides reduction in cyst dimensions and/or contrast enhancement were considered as radiologic regression. Decrease in radiculopathy, back pain and neurologic deficit complaints were also considered as clinical improvement. RESULTS Thirteen patients (8 men, 5 women) patients with lumbar synovial cysts who admitted to the neurosurgery outpatient clinic with low back and radicular pain complaints were included in the study. 9 patients (69.2%) had clinical and radiological improvement, 1 female patient (7.7%) was operated due to the leg pain, progressive motor deficit and lumbar disc hernia. Radiological spontaneous complete resolution was detected in 3 patients (23.1%). Spontaneous complete resolution period was determined between 3 months to 24 months. CONCLUSION The symptomatic lumbosacral synovial cyst treatment algorithm has not been fully demonstrated. However, as in our series, spontaneous complete resolution of cysts and effectiveness of conservative treatment in symptomatic patients should not to be underestimated and immediate invasive procedures should be postponed.