Sudden Onset of Paraparesis Caused by a Hemorrhagic Thoracic Synovial Cyst.

Abstract

Hemorrhage is a rare presentation of spinal synovial cysts, which are usually located in the lumbar spine. They may cause an epidural hematoma and compression of the cauda equina. Infrequently, they may be located in the thoracic spine. We present a case of sudden onset paraparesis caused by hemorrhage in a synovial cyst at a midthoracic level. Clinical, radiologic, and histologic findings are described. This report describes a unique case of hemorrhagic synovial cyst at the mid-thoracic spine. These lesions are rarely located in the cervico-thoracic spine but should be included in the differential diagnosis of myelopathy.