ABSTRACT

Synovial cysts are covered with epithelium and cause degenerated facet joints. They may cause radiculopathy through nerve root compression, or they may enlarge towards the vertebral canal, causing myelopathy. The lumbar spine is the most commonly affected site, and the cervical spine is the next most common location. Thoracic synovial cysts, particularly calcified ones causing myelopathy, have been rarely reported. In this manuscript, we report the surgical management of a calcified thoracic synovial cyst that caused myelopathy in a 58-year-old woman. The importance of diagnosis and surgical management of this rare entity is discussed. Thoracic cord compression should be considered in the differential diagnosis of synovial cysts. Surgical treatment should be considered as the initial treatment modality, especially in patients with neurological signs, and is associated with a favorable outcome.