Lumbar nerve root compression by intraspinal synovial cysts. Report of 8 cases.

We evaluated the clinical appearance and results of surgical treatment in 8 patients with leg symptoms due to a lumbar intraspinal synovial cyst. The most frequent symptom was radicular leg pain due to unilateral single-root compression affecting the L5 or S1 nerve root. There were 2 cases with large cysts causing compression of the cauda equina, with spinal claudication as the main symptom. All cysts arose from arthrotic facet joints. Surgical excision gave good results and no recurrences have been noted 0.5-2 years postoperatively.