Ligamentum Flavum Cyst - A Rare Cause of Lumbar Canal Stenosis: A Case Report with Review of Literature

Article information

J Minim Invasive Spine Surg Tech. 2021;6(1):57-60
Publication date (electronic) : 2021 April 29
doi : https://doi.org/10.21182/jmisst.2020.00234
Department of Orthopaedics and Spine, BL Kapur Hospital, Delhi, India
Corresponding Author: Dr Sanyam Jain, MBBS, M.S.ORTHO Department of Orthopaedics and Spine, BL Kapur Hospital, Delhi, India Room no 32, opd 1, ground floor, BLK hospital, Pusa road, New delhi 110005 Tel: +9727776564 E-mail: jainsanyam933@gmail.com
Received 2020 November 2; Revised 2021 February 9; Accepted 2021 March 24.

Abstract

Lumbar spinal stenosis is most common entity coming to spine out-patient department which may present with complaint of back pain with lower limbs neurogenic claudication, caused by degenerative disc conditions or to facet joint hypertrophy or ligamentum flavum thickening. We represent a case report of a patient suffering from low back pain with worsening neurogenic claudication. Imaging showing a cystic lesion at L3-4 spinal level with no lysthesis pinching the traversing nerve root who undervent minimal invasive tubular transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Intraoperatively, a cystic mass originating from ligament flavum with yellow jelly fluid adherent to dura and no communication with subarachnoid space or facet joint was found. Histologically, these cysts represent a distinct entity different from synovial cysts in terms of devoid of epethelial lining. To differentiate in cyst outlines and origin is very helpful in preoperative planning as even complete removal of ligamentum flavum cyst does not damage the facet joint and no fixation is required in these cases as compared to facetal cyst which represents instability and fixation is mandatory.

INTRODUCTION

Lumbar spinal stenosis is most common entity coming to spine out-patient department which may present with complaint of back pain with lower limbs neurogenic claudication, caused by degenerative disc conditions or due to facet joint hypertrophy or ligamentum flavum thickening. Less common etiologies include cystic lesions like synovial cysts [1], ganglion pseudocysts [2], dermoid cysts or parasitic cysts [3], or other intraspinal extradural masses like haematoma or metastatic lesions. Our case report mention the case of ligamentum flavum cyst with lumbar canal stenosis operated minimally invasive surgery and technical difficulties faced during surgery.

CASE RRPORT

1. Case 1

A 57-year female patient presented with low back pain with worsening neurogenic claudication since 1-year with right lower limb pain. Walking distance continued decreasing since last 1 year. There was no history of trauma, fever, weight loss or any other constitutional symptoms. Clinical examination revealed moderate weakness (grade 3/5) in extension of the right great toe. Otherwise, motor examination in all other muscle groups and sensory examination of all modalities was with in normal limits. Plain radiographs of the lumbosacral spine showed degenerative changes like reduced height but no lysthesis at L3-4 level in flexion and extension lateral views. Blood parameters showed normal white cell count (WCC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan showed a cystic lesion, T1 hypointense and T2 hyperintense with moderate rim enhancement in between dural sac and ligamentum flavum at L3/4 level, compressing and displacing the thecal sac and pinching the traversing nerve root. The patient was treated conservatively initially with analgesics and physiotherapy but failed to alleviate the patient’s symptoms. After proper counselling and adequate trail of conservative management, minimal invasive tubular posterior decompression and stabilization with transforaminal interbody fusion at L3-L4 level was performed. Intraoperatively, a cyst was noted in the epidural space attached to ligamentum flavum at L3-4 level.

Figure 1.

Demostrates Ⓐ Preoperative axial scan MRI Ⓑ Sagital scan MRI scans Ⓒ Preoperative ×-ray image Ⓓ Intraoperative microscopic image demostrating cystic lesion in ligamentum flavum.

Figure 2.

Microscopic histology image of the cyst showing proliferation of capillaries with fibro-cartilageneous wall. Cyst lining is devoid of epithelium.

2. Surgical Procedure

The patient was placed under general anesthesia in the prone position. Tube was docked at L3-L4 right side facet joint, then inferior facetectomy and laminotomy was done, thus exposing ligamentum flavum. We found moderate thickening of the capsule of the apophyseal joint and thickened ligamentum flavum. We found that cystic mass was originated from ligament flavum and contained yellow fluid which was adherent to dura and there was no communication with the subarachnoid space or facet joint. Then, it was freed from all around with the help of nerve hook. The right L4 nerve root was compressed and pushed laterally by the cyst, and after removal of cyst, nerve root was completely freed. No CSF leakage occurred during removal.

The dorsal side of the cyst extended in a space in the L3/4 interspinous space, whereas the ventral wall was densely adhered to the dura. The thecal sac was decompressed by excising the cyst wall and drainage of clear fluid inside.

Further over the top decompression was done and decompression achieved. Cage inserted after disc space prepared and standard transforaminal interbody fusion was acheived. Post-operatively, mobilization out of bed allowed immediately on next post operative day. On regular follow ups, the patient showed significant relief from the spinal claudication symptoms. Histological examination of the resected specimen demonstrated fibrous connective tissue devoid of lining epithelium.

DISCUSSION

Identifying and differentiating the origin of the cystic lesions preoperatively have important implications to our surgical planning in terms of fixation and decompression or decompression alone and the extent of surgical exploration to achieve complete cyst resection to minimize the chance of recurrence.

Ligamentum flavum cyst, first reported by Moiel et al. in 1967 is rare cause of spinal stenosis mentioned in literature [3-8]. Kao et al. [9] and Rhoton et al. [10] first used the term “juxtafacet cyst” in 1974 and dividing them into synovial cyst arising from facet joint with a synovial lining and ganglionic cysts arising from or grow into ligamentum flava adjacent to facet joint without any synovial lining. Chimento et al. [11], in 1995 reported that ganglion cysts includes cysts of the ligamentum flavum and posterior longitudinal ligament.

The anatomic disposition, histologic characteristics, and biomechanical properties of the ligamentum flavum indicate that it is markedly different from other spinal ligaments [26]. The ligamentum flavum is a well-defined elastic structure composed of 80% elastic and 20% collagen fibers [27].

The pathogenesis of ligamentum flavum cysts remains unknown [12-14] reflecting mainly degeneration rather than trauma however, hypertrophy, degeneration and fibrosis of the ligamentum flavum are frequently present and likely to be sequelae of localized minor spinal trauma [15,18]. The ligamentum flavum cyst is regarded to be associated with microtrauma due to increased motion at a particular motion segment or segmental instability and local stress associated with degeneration at the level of occurrence [16,17,28]. Change in proteoglycans, loss of elastic fibers, and increase in collagen tissue and chondroid metaplasia due to mechanical stress have also been described [19].

Additionally and closely related to age, amyloid can accumulate within the ligamentum flavum [20] and might be associated with systemic amyloidosis [21].

Similarly, age-related calcification of the ligamentum flavum can occur [22]. A diffuse form of calcification contributing to the loss of elasticity and the thickening and a focal form of calcified material accumulation as well as granulomatous inflammation and tophaceous depositions of calcium pyrophosphate crystals can occur. These depositions have been ascribed to decreasing cellularity and result in diminished calcification inhibiting factor production by fibroblastic-like cells [23]. The tophaceous type of lesion seems to be closely related to previous degeneration of the affected ligament by minor trauma predisposing to calcium deposition. Activity of proteolytic enzymes within the ligament, produced by neutrophils localizing to calcified nodules, has been found [24].

Patients with ligamentum flavum cysts are also noted to have co-existence of facet joint degeneration, and incidence of degenerative spondylolisthesis varies between 42 and 65% [25].

Most of the reported ligamentum flavum cysts in the literature were located laterally within the spinal canal similar in our case. Cervical cysts are preferentially located in the cervicothoracic junction [31,29]. No reports have described the appearance of these cysts in any region other than the mobile spine. The T2-10 vertebrae mainly act with the ribs to form the thorax and are not generally considered to be part of the mobile spine.

Ligamentum flavum cysts in the lumbar spine occur commonly at L4-5 level because this level is the most mobile segment. The frequency at lumbar spine of ligamentum flavum cyst was as follows: L4-5 (56%), L5-S1 (23%), L3-4 (20%), L2-3 (1%) level.

Magnetic resonance imaging provides the best images [30]: on T1weighted images, the cysts have a variable signal, and on T2-weighted images, the cysts have a high-intensity signal. Differential diagnosis of imaging studies between ligamentum flavum cysts and synovial cysts is helpful, as the latter are more difficult to resect, requiring exploration of the facet joint. Magnetic resonance imaging in case of synovial cysts, reveals demonstrable communication with the facet joint. CT scan imaging is helpful to diagnose the flaval cyst as it shows absence of enhancement of the cyst wall and surrounding calcified rim as compared to synovial cystic lesion with enhancement of the synovial cyst wall with calcified rim. In our case, magnetic resonance imaging revealed at L3-L4 level a right-sided voluminous epidural cystic lesion, 10 mm in diameter, which was hypointense on T1-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images.

Wildi et al. [31] reported recurrence of the cyst in the remaining ligamentum flavum in two patients 1 year after surgery. While nearly 95% of all operated cysts can be removed entirely, a major reported intraoperative difficulty lies in the presence of adhesions to the dural wall, which is the main causative factor of incomplete resection. Complete removal of these cystic lesions generally has excellent results [30-33].

Kim H et al. [34] clearly defined the different type of extradural cysts based on anatomic location and based on pathology.

Take home message-Ligamentum flavum cyst represent a rare cause of nerve root compression or spinal stenosis. Proper preoperative knowledge and planning with various imaging studies helps in differentiating the various epidural cystic lesions to define the treatment plan and to avoid fixation as removal of the ligamentum flavum cyst does not injured the facet and no fixation is required as compared to facetal cyst which represents instability and fixation is mandatory.

Notes

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article.

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Figure 1.

Demostrates Ⓐ Preoperative axial scan MRI Ⓑ Sagital scan MRI scans Ⓒ Preoperative ×-ray image Ⓓ Intraoperative microscopic image demostrating cystic lesion in ligamentum flavum.

Figure 2.

Microscopic histology image of the cyst showing proliferation of capillaries with fibro-cartilageneous wall. Cyst lining is devoid of epithelium.