J Korean Soc Radiol.  2021 Jan;82(1):162-172. 10.3348/jksr.2019.0184.

Efficacy of FluoroscopyGuided Lumbar Facet Joint Synovial Cyst Rupture with Intra-Articular Steroid Injection after Laminectomy

• Kim HJ
• Lee E
• Lee JW
• Kang Y
• Ahn JM

• KMID: 2512601
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2019.0184

Abstract

Purpose
We retrospectively evaluated the technical success rate and long-term efficacy of fluoroscopy-guided synovial cyst rupture followed by an intra-articular steroid injection at the post-laminectomy lumbar facet.
Materials and Methods
We selected subjects who had undergone a fluoroscopy-guided synovial cyst rupture with simultaneous intra-articular steroid injection within 6 months of MRI and demonstrated a symptomatic facet joint synovial cyst at the level of a previous lumbar laminectomy. Fourteen patients were enrolled, and we determined whether cyst rupture and symptom improvement were achieved after each procedure. The degrees of symptom improvement were categorized into 4: 1) symptoms improved (30% or more reduction, based on pre-procedural and post-procedural Numerical Pain Rating Scale scores), 2) symptoms not improved, 3) patient underwent surgery after injection, and 4) loss of follow-up.
Results
The success rate of percutaneous synovial cyst rupture decreased with repeated procedures (62.5% for the first procedure and 0% to 33.3% for additional procedures). However, 80% of the patients had symptom improvement with the procedures, overall. The surgery rate was 14.3% in 14 patients.
Conclusion
For patients with post-laminectomy symptomatic lumbar facet joint synovial cysts, fluoroscopy-guided synovial cyst rupture with intra-articular steroid injection may be an effective and less invasive treatment before considering a surgical approach.

Keyword

Spine; Synovial Cyst; Radiculopathy; Fluoroscopy; Laminectomy