Intraspinal cervical degenerative cyst. Report of three cases

• Published in: Journal of neurosurgery Vol. 95; no. 1 Suppl; p. 139
• Main Authors: Hatem, O, Bedou, G, Négre, C, Bertrand, J L, Camo, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.07.2001
• Subjects: Aged; Cervical Vertebrae - pathology; Cervical Vertebrae - surgery; Cysts - diagnosis; Cysts - pathology; Cysts - surgery; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Laminectomy; Ligamentum Flavum - pathology; Ligamentum Flavum - surgery; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Nerve Compression Syndromes - diagnosis; Nerve Compression Syndromes - pathology; Nerve Compression Syndromes - surgery; Neurologic Examination; Spinal Cord Compression - diagnosis; Spinal Cord Compression - pathology; Spinal Cord Compression - surgery; Spinal Diseases - diagnosis; Spinal Diseases - pathology; Spinal Diseases - surgery; Spinal Nerve Roots - pathology; Spinal Nerve Roots - surgery
• ISSN: 0022-3085
• DOI: 10.3171/spi.2001.95.1.0139

The authors report three cases of cervical degenerative cysts causing medullary or radiculomedullary compression. Anatomicopathological examination confirmed the fibrous nature of the cyst wall and the absence of a synovial layer. One of the cysts was embedded in the ligamentum flavum, whereas the other two were most lateral and adherent to the facet joint. The physiopathogenesis of these cysts is discussed.