| Summary: | Synovial cyst is an extradural mass that compresses nerve root or thecal sac. Surgical excision with partial hemilaminectomy and medial facetectomy is commonly used for synovial cyst. Remarkable advancements in endoscopic spinal surgery have led to successful outcomes comparable to conventional open surgery. Here we introduce percutaneous endoscopic lumbar foraminoplasty for resecting synovial cyst as a minimal invasive technique. A 59-year-old woman presented with radicular pain at left L5 dermatome. Magnetic resonance images demonstrated a synovial cyst at left L4-5 facet joint and degenerative spondylolisthesis on L4-5. Under endoscopy, synovial cyst was removed by piecemeal method after transforaminal endoscopic foraminoplasty that removed part of superior facet. Her symptoms were relieved and the patient was discharged the next day. Therefore, percutaneous endoscopic lumbar foraminoplasty can be used as a minimally invasive surgical option for synovial cyst. It may provide less traumatization and affect less postoperative instability.
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