Three cases of intraspinal canal cysts of the lumbar spine were treated surgically.
All cases were male, with a mean age at the time of surgery of 27.0 years (range, 20 to 40 years). All patients presented with radicular pain and significant motor deficit.
The levels of the intraspinal cysts were at (L4/5) in 2 cases and (L3/4) in one case.
The clinical history and findings on physical examination, plane radiography, myelography, CT-myelography, discography, CT-discography and MRI with and without enhance were reviewed.
Discography and CT-discography was carried out in 2 cases, showing communication between intraspinal canal cysts and the intervertebral disc.
Histological findings of a cyst showed granulation tissue and a degenerative intervertebral disc.
We propose that the intraspinal canal cysts were associated with mechanical pressure on a slightly degenerated intervertebral disc and absorbed sequestrated lumbar disc herniation.
