A novel technique for surgical excision of a symptomatic lumbar spine facet joint synovial cyst using a cyst dyeing method: a report of two cases and a literature review

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a cyst dyeing technique that was used during the surgical excision of facet joint cysts in 2 cases. We evaluated the patients’ clinical outcomes and perioperative complications after decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis caused by the cysts. Two patients, who underwent surgical decompression for symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis caused by facet cysts in August and October 2020, were reviewed. Their main complaints were severe low back pain and sciatica 1 or 2 months ago, for which they visited Wooridul Spine Hospital, Daegu, Korea. Under general anesthesia, the cysts were removed with the cyst dyeing method, using indigo carmine. Clinical outcomes were assessed by preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores. Perioperative complications were observed.Favorable clinical outcomes and no perioperative complications were reported. Low back pain and sciatica improved, as shown by changes of the VAS score from 9 or 8 to 1, and no dural defects were observed. The cyst dyeing method is an effective technique for the surgical removal of symptomatic lumbar spine facet joint cysts.