Lumbar juxta-facet cyst associated with an arachnoid cyst at the same vertebral level: case report

Abstract

Intraspinal-canal cysts are known to cause pain in the leg. A juxta-facet cyst often shows radiculopathy. We report a patient with juxta-facet cyst associated with arachnoid cyst at the same vertebral level. A 61-year-old woman presented with pain in the left leg. She had radiculopathy of the left L5 and S1. Lumbar MRI showed a juxta-facet cyst at L5/S1 on the left. Pulsed radiofrequency on the L5 and S1 roots, and aspiration of the cyst contents reduced the pain for only 2 weeks. Myelography revealed an arachnoid cyst at the same vertebral level with the juxta-facet cyst. The left S1 root was compressed. Partial laminectomy and resection of the facet cyst were performed and the pain in the leg completely resolved after the surgery.