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Extraforaminal lumbar synovial cyst causing sudden foot drop: case report.
Jin Uk Kim1, Sang-Ho Lee, Dong Yeob Lee
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wooridul Spine Hospital, Seoul, ROK.
Neurologia Medico-Chirurgica
|December 25, 2008
Summary
Sudden foot drop can be caused by an extraforaminal lumbar synovial cyst. This rare condition, compressing the L4 nerve root, requires consideration in differential diagnoses for foot drop.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiology
- Pathology
Background:
- Lumbar synovial cysts are typically intraforaminal, rarely presenting in the extraforaminal zone.
- Extraforaminal cysts can compress neural structures, leading to radicular symptoms.
Observation:
- A 52-year-old female presented with acute right foot drop.
- Imaging revealed an extraforaminal cystic mass at the L4-L5 level compressing the L4 ganglion.
Findings:
- Surgical microdecompression successfully removed the cyst.
- Histological examination confirmed a synovial cyst.
Implications:
- Extraforaminal lumbar synovial cysts should be included in the differential diagnosis for sudden foot drop.
- This case highlights the importance of advanced imaging in identifying rare causes of neurological deficits.