Percutaneous Rupture of Zygapophyseal Joint Synovial Cysts: A Prospective Assessment of Nonsurgical Management.

BACKGROUND: Although lumbar zygapophyseal joint synovial cysts are fairly well recognized, they are an uncommon cause of lumbosacral radicular pain. Nonoperative treatments include percutaneous aspiration of the cysts under computed tomography or fluoroscopic guidance with a subsequent corticosteroid injection. However, there are mixed results in terms of long-term outcomes and cyst reoccurrence. This study prospectively evaluates percutaneous ruptures of zygapophyseal joint (Z-joint) synovial cysts for the treatment of lumbosacral radicular pain. OBJECTIVES: Primary: To determine whether percutaneous rupture of symptomatic Z-joint synovial cysts leads to sustained improvements in radicular pain and function. Secondary: To assess the rates of cyst recurrence and progression to surgical intervention following percutaneous rupture of symptomatic Z-joint synovial cysts. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Outpatient academic spine practice. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with primary radicular pain due to a facet synovial cyst. METHODS: Participants underwent fluoroscopically guided percutaneous Z-joint synovial cyst ruptures under standard-of-care practice. Data on pain, physical function, satisfaction, and progression to surgery were collected at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after rupture. An intention-to-treat analysis was used for assessment of patient-reported outcome measures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Numerical Rating Scale, Oswestry Disability Index, and modified North American Spine Society questionnaires were used to measure pain, function, and satisfaction with the procedure, respectively. RESULTS: Thirty-five participants were included in the study, and data were analyzed by an independent researcher. Statistically significant changes in Oswestry Disability Index were reported at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year postintervention (P = .034, .040, and .039, respectively). A statistically and clinically significant relief of current pain was reported at 2 weeks (P = .025) and 6 weeks (P = .014) with respect to baseline. Patients showed significant improvements for best pain at 6 weeks with respect to baseline (P = .031). Patients' worst pain showed the greatest amount of improvement with clinically meaningful changes at all time points compared with baseline. Patient-reported satisfaction was found nearly 70% of the time at all time points. Forty percent (14/35) of participants required repeat cyst rupture, and 31% (11/35) required surgical interventions. CONCLUSIONS: There were statistically and clinically significant improvements in pain and function after percutaneous rupture of Z-joint synovial cysts. In addition, the outcomes support previous retrospective studies indicating that approximately 40% of patients will need surgery. This study provides further research to determine the utility of this procedure and to precisely define a subset of ideal candidates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Lumbar discal cyst: Diagnostic discography followed by therapeutic computed tomography-guided aspiration and injection.

Discal cysts are extradural masses that communicate with the intervertebral disk and are a rare cause of lower back pain and lumbar radiculopathy. This case report describes a lumbar discal cyst, the diagnosis of which was confirmed on conventional discography, and which was treated with computed tomography-guided aspiration and steroid injection. Several reports have described this procedure, but only one in the radiology literature, and thus the purpose of this report is to remind the radiology community of the existence of this entity and propose a minimally invasive means of treatment.

Segmental anomaly leading to wrong level disc surgery in cauda equina syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN: A case report of unrecognized lumbarization of the S-1 vertebral body leading to wrong-level disc surgery in a patient with acute cauda equina syndrome secondary to a large disc extrusion at the L4-L5 interspace. Laminectomy and excision were initially performed at the level of L5-L6. OBJECTIVES: To review the importance of detection of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae when performing interventional procedures in the lumbar spine. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Lumbosacraljunction transitional vertebrae have been well documented. Likewise, surgery at the wrong intervertebral level has been reported as a reason for failure of lumbar spine surgery. There is also brief mention in the literature of lumbar disc surgery performed at incorrect levels in part secondary to junctional anomalies. However, there is no recorded case of wrong-level disc surgery in acute cauda equina syndrome occurring as a result of an unrecognized lumbarization or sacralization of transitional vertebrae. METHODS: A case report of wrong level disc surgery in a patient with lumbarization of the S-1 sacrum is presented. The literature, clinical course, and imaging studies are reviewed and techniques for detection of transitional vertebral bodies are discussed. CONCLUSION: The presence an undetected congenital spinal anomaly, lumbarization of the S-1 vertebral body, resulted in mistaken intraoperative identification of the L4-5 space in this patient resulted in decompression at the wrong level requiring a second surgery. Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae can often be overlooked on plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine. It is essential to be alert to the possibility of transitional vertebrae when evaluating these imaging studies, particularly in the operative treatment disc disease.

Treatment of chronic lumbar diskogenic pain with intradiskal electrothermal therapy: a prospective outcome study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical efficacy of intradiskal electrothermal annuloplasty in treating patients with chronic constant lumbar diskogenic pain who have not responded to at least 6 months of aggressive nonoperative care. DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: Academic-affiliated private physiatry practice. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-three patients with chronic constant lumbar diskogenic pain of more than 6 months in duration diagnosed with history and physical examination, with concordant pain on provocative pressure-controlled lumbar diskography, and with symptomatic annular tears and/or protrusions less than 5mm, who did not respond to aggressive nonoperative care. INTERVENTION: Intradiskal electrothermal annuloplasty. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores for the back and for the lower extremity, the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and the North American Spine Society Patient Satisfaction Index. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients, with mean age of 40 years and a mean duration of symptoms of 46 months, were observed with a mean follow-up of 15 months. Relief of pain and improvement in physical function were associated with a mean change in the VAS score of 3.9 (P<.001), a mean change in the lower-extremity VAS score of 3.7 (P<.001), and a mean change in the RMDQ of 7.3 (P<.001). For patient satisfaction, 75.7% reported that they would undergo the same procedure for the same outcome. Complete pain relief was achieved in 24% of the patients, and partial pain relief in 46% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intradiskal electrothermal annuloplasty offers a safe, minimally invasive treatment option for carefully selected patients with chronic lumbar diskogenic pain who have not responded to aggressive nonoperative care.