STUDY DESIGN: Case report of acute traumatic myelopathy secondary to thoracic synovial cyst in a professional football player. OBJECTIVE: To emphasize examination for myelopathy and describe the radiographic and magnetic resonance findings of a rare source of traumatic myelopathy. BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging is the best initial evaluation for myelopathy in a traumatic setting. Heightened awareness during evaluation of a player involved in a traumatic incident allowed the diagnosis of potential cord damage and paralysis. METHODS: A subject with symptoms resulting from a direct blow to the back was evaluated for myelopathy, with diagnosis assisted by magnetic resonance imaging used to pinpoint the source of the disorder. RESULTS: The diagnosis allowed a surgical excision of the traumatic synovial cyst and full recovery of the injured football player. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness during examination for myelopathy in an acutely injured athlete is imperative to prompt the clinician to order the proper diagnostic studies and thereby embark on a surgical correction of the problem.
STUDY DESIGN: Case report of acute traumatic myelopathy secondary to thoracic synovial cyst in a professional football player. OBJECTIVE: To emphasize examination for myelopathy and describe the radiographic and magnetic resonance findings of a rare source of traumatic myelopathy. BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging is the best initial evaluation for myelopathy in a traumatic setting. Heightened awareness during evaluation of a player involved in a traumatic incident allowed the diagnosis of potential cord damage and paralysis. METHODS: A subject with symptoms resulting from a direct blow to the back was evaluated for myelopathy, with diagnosis assisted by magnetic resonance imaging used to pinpoint the source of the disorder. RESULTS: The diagnosis allowed a surgical excision of the traumatic synovial cyst and full recovery of the injured football player. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness during examination for myelopathy in an acutely injured athlete is imperative to prompt the clinician to order the proper diagnostic studies and thereby embark on a surgical correction of the problem.