[Lumbar root compression secondary to juxtafacet cysts: review of 10 cases]

We report a series of 10 patients with 11 juxtafacet cysts of the lumbar spine treated in our center from 1994 to 2000.

The clinical histories, radiographic images, surgical protocols and pathological records of the 10 patients diagnosed of lumbar juxtafacet cyst have been analyzed.

Six patients were women and four were men. The average age of presentation was 54 years. The most frequent clinical presentation was radicular pain, and motor or sensitive deficits were not very common. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance are essential in establishing the diagnosis. The cysts were located at L4-L5 in eight patients, at L2-L3 in one patient, and at L3-L4 in other patient. Eight patients were treated by means of decompressive laminectomy and excision of the cyst, and the remaining two underwent conservative treatment. Degenerative phenomena adjacent to the juxtafacet cysts are easy to evidence. All the patients were improved of their radicular pain.

Analysing our series, we conclude that the juxtafacet cysts appear more frequently at L4-L5 level in people of advanced age, and produce commonly low back pain and radiculopathy. Although they can be treated initially in a conservative way, in the presence of a progressive sciatic syndrome, surgical management is preferable.