RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Microcervical Foraminotomy for Cervical Juxtafacet Cysts: Case Series and Literature Review
JF International Journal of Spine Surgery
JO Int J Spine Surg
FD International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery
SP 407
OP 417
DO 10.14444/8440
VO 17
IS 3
A1 Yuki Kido
A1 Naosuke Kamei
A1 Yuki Fujioka
A1 Toshio Nakamae
A1 Nobuo Adachi
A1 Masanobu Sasaki
YR 2023
UL http://ijssurgery.com//content/17/3/407.abstract
AB Background Juxtafacet cysts are located near or contiguous with the facet joints, and their occurrence is rare in the cervical spine. We report 4 cases of cervical juxtafacet cysts operated by microcervical foraminotomy (MCF) or a combination of MCF and laminoplasty. We simultaneously review previously reported cases in terms of location, clinical findings, and surgical technique.Methods Among the patients who underwent spine surgery at our hospital from 2015 to 2019, 4 had cervical juxtafacet cysts. The images and clinical records of the patients were retrospectively assessed. Relevant previous English literature was searched and reviewed using PubMed.Results In our series, all 4 patients presented with unilateral upper extremity muscle weakness preoperatively. Two patients underwent MCF, and the other 2 underwent a combination of MCF and laminoplasty with resection of the cyst. All showed improvement in muscle strength. In previously reported cases, the rate of muscle weakness was high. A review of previous cases showed that 75 of 139 patients had cysts at C7-T1. The most common surgical techniques consisted of a hemilaminectomy or laminectomy with the addition of posterior fusion in 28 patients. The number of male patients was twice that of female patients; however, the male-to-female ratio was almost the same in patients with cysts in C7-T1. On pathological diagnosis, there were 3 times more synovial cysts than ganglion cysts. The percentage of synovial cysts was higher in patients with radiculopathy, and the percentage of ganglion cysts was higher in patients with myelopathy.Conclusions Cervical juxtafacet cysts tend to occur in C7-T1 and cause muscle weakness. Surgical therapy is strongly recommended due to good postoperative improvement.Clinical Relevance The results of this study suggest that microcervical foraminotomy for cervical juxtafacet cysts can provide favorable symptomatic improvement.Level of Evidence 3.