2011 Volume 25 Issue 1 Pages 27-33
Juxta-facet cysts (JFC) normally occur in the lumbar vertebrae and are sldom encountered in the cervical vertebrae. We report one case of cervical JFC with C5 radiculopathy.
A 68-year-old male developed left M. deltoideus and M. biceps weakness. Radiography showed instability at C4/5 and a cystic lesion in the left C4/5 on MRI. Consequently, cervical anterior fusion at C4/5 and cyst extraction from the posterior approach was performed. The pathologic diagnosis was a juxta-facet cyst. After surgery, the left upper extremity muscular strength improved, and there has been no recurrence.
To date, 45 cases of cervical JFC have been reported. As to the neurological manifestations, myelopathy is much more frequently found in these cases than radiculopathy. The most prevalent sites are at the C1-2 and C7-T1 levels. Good postoperative courses have been obtained by removing the cyst by posterior approach.
When treating cervical JFC, we strongly suggest a thorough evaluation of vertebral instability as fixation in the case of remarkable spinal instability must also be considered.
