2006 Volume 12 Issue 1 Pages 156-161
There have been few reports regarding aspiration for lumber facet joint synovial cysts (facet cysts). Needle aspiration through the facet joint was attempted in four patients who had facet cysts. The subjects consisted of two males and two females, aged between 43 to 85, with a mean of 66.8years. Of these, one had a cystic lesion at the same level prior to decompressive surgery. Aspiration effects were evaluated using by VAS scores, JOA scores, and MRI 4 and 16 weeks after aspiration. As a result, aspiration was possible in one patient, who had prior surgery. In this case, leg symptoms completely resolved and the cyst diminished for 11 months after the aspiration. In the remaining 3 patients, improvement of leg symptom was obtained only in one patient.
