[A retrospective study of 32 lumbar synovial cysts. Clinical aspect and surgical management]

We report a retrospective analysis of a series of 32 cases of lumbar synovial cysts. Clinically, two populations were identified: patients who presented radicular pain mimicking the clinical diagnosis of disk herniation (group I) and patients who presented neurogenic claudication consistent with a diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis (group II). The radiological work-up consisted in standard X-rays and CT-scan for all patients. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) was performed in 14 patients. All the patients were operated on. The surgical technique consisted in foraminotomy for patients in group I and more or less extensive laminectomy for patients in group II. Functional outcome was marked by a significant improvement in 96.9% of the patients and those who presented a motor deficit recovered in 83% of the cases. Based on the findings in this series, we discuss the clinical aspects and the therapeutic management of this pathological entity.