Lumbar Juxtafacet Cysts

Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the factors affecting the clinical and radiological findings of juxtafacet cyst patients. MATERIAL and METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2018, eight patients diagnosed with juxtafacet cyst were reviewed, retrospectively. Patient demographics; signs and symptoms; and neurological examination, radiological, and surgical findings were noted. RESULTS: The mean age was 54 years (range, 34-69 years) with five (62.5%) females and three (37.5%) males. There were nine juxtafacet cysts in eight patients. Five cysts (55.5%) were located at the L3-L4 level, two cysts (22.2%) at the L4-L5 level, and two cysts (22.2%) at the L5-S1 level. In all patients with L3-L4 cysts, the intercrest line was intersecting the spinal column at L4 vertebral body level. The most frequent symptoms were back pain and radiculopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography revealed degenerative facet arthropathy in six patients (75%). Three patients (37.5%) had a medical history of trauma. One patient (12.5%) was treated conservatively. Seven patients (87.5%) were advised to undergo surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Degeneration and instability are the main causes of juxtafacet cysts. They are mainly seen at the L4-L5 level due to higher movement capacity of this level. But, if the intercrest line intersects the spinal column at higher levels, degeneration and instability risks move to upper levels, and juxtafacet cysts may occur at the L3-L4 or upper levels.