Discal cyst: a rare cause of low back pain and sciatica

Radiol Case Rep. 2022 Aug 1;17(10):3678-3680. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2022.07.018. eCollection 2022 Oct.

Abstract

We report a case of a 54-year-old man suffering from sciatalgia unresponsive to medical treatment. Imaging revealed a discal cyst the level L3-L4, a rare cause of low back pain, which has characteristic imaging features. In particular, on Magnetic Resonance Imaging it appears as a cystic formation with fluid content, which usually arises from the posterior contour of the intervertebral disc and it frequently has air bubbles within it. The patient underwent surgical treatment with resolution of symptoms.

Keywords: Computed tomography; Discal cyst; Magnetic resonance imaging; Neuroradiology; Sciatalgia; Spine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports