A synovial cyst of the facet joint is a non-neoplastic cystic lesion that develops as a response to the biomechanical stressors that are placed upon the synovial lined joints of the spine, the facet joints. When cysts arise from these joints, they may press upon critical neurologic structures, including the ventral nerve roots and the spinal cord. These benign yet painful cysts may be treated by performing synovial cyst injection and rupture. The procedure involves cyst puncture under CT or fluoroscopic guidance followed by the high pressure injection of fluids, including injection of long acting local analgesics and corticosteroid suspensions.
