[Atlantoaxial synovial cyst. A case report]

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Spinal Surgery
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Atlanto-axial synovial cysts are rare spinal tumors.
• They can cause spinal canal narrowing, leading to neurological deficits.

Observation:

• A 62-year-old patient presented with an atlanto-axial synovial cyst causing spinal canal narrowing, anterior medullar compression, and neurological deficit.
• Surgical intervention involved a transoral approach with odontoid resection.

Findings:

• Histological confirmation of a synovial cyst.
• Secondary atlanto-axial instability necessitated posterior fixation with C1-C2 transarticular screw fixation.
• The patient showed improvement in neurological deficit post-surgery.

Implications:

• This case highlights the successful surgical management of atlanto-axial synovial cysts.
• It underscores the importance of addressing secondary instability following cyst resection.
• Reviewing similar literature cases provides valuable insights for clinical practice.