Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Intraoperative Ultrasound in Spinal Surgery
Published on: August 17, 2022
Synovial cysts of the lumbar spine: CT evaluation
A M Wang1, H A Haykal, J C Lin
1Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
Abstract:
Seven cases of surgically proven intraspinal synovial cysts are reported. Computed tomographic (CT) scans demonstrated a series of low-density masses adjacent to the facet joints; in three cases, a dense rim indicated a calcified wall on the cyst; in one, the wall was partially calcified; and in three the mass appeared to be filled with gas. In all of these cases, there was severe degenerative facet disease at the same level as the synovial cyst. In six patients, the cysts were unilateral, while one was bilateral; seven cysts were located at the level of L4-L5, and one at L3-L4. We conclude from this study that the intraspinal synovial cyst can be identified reliably by the CT scan.
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