CASE REPORTS   

Chirurgia 2014 December;27(6):341-3

Copyright © 2014 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Problems encountered in the surgical treatment of ligamentum flavum cysts

Açikgöz B. ¹, Altuntaş S. ², Bilir S. ³, Barut F. ⁴

¹ Neurosurgery, Bülent Ecevit University, Faculty of Medicine, Zonguldak, Consultant Neurosurgeon, ECHOMAR Hospital, Karadeniz Ereğli, Turkey; ² Neurosurgeon, ECHOMAR Hospital, Karadeniz Ereğli, Turkey; ³ Anesthesiologist, ECHOMAR Hospital, Karadeniz Ereğli, Turkey; ⁴ Pathology, Bülent Ecevit University, Faculty of Medicine, Zonguldak, Turkey

Ligamentum flavum cysts may cause pain, radicular symptoms and signs. The diagnosis of ligamentum flavum cyst is done by radiologic studies, surgical intervention and histopathological examinations of the ligaments. In an 80-year female patient, in the inner aspect of the ligamentum flavum a cyst about ten mm’s was found, compressing the S1 nerve root. In literature survey seventy-five similar cases were found. Careful exploration, incision and excision of the cyst and the ligament and its adherence to dura mater and facet joint are main problems.