Piriformis ganglion: An uncommon cause of sciatica

Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2016 Apr;102(2):257-60. doi: 10.1016/j.otsr.2015.11.018. Epub 2016 Mar 8.

Abstract

Sciatica can occur due to a spinal lesion, intrapelvic tumor, diabetic neuropathy, and rarely piriformis syndrome. The causes of piriformis syndrome vary by a space-occupying lesion. A ganglionic cyst can occur in various lesions in the body but seldom around the hip joint. In addition, sciatica due to a ganglionic cyst around the hip joint has been reported in one patient in Korea who underwent surgical treatment. We experienced two cases of sciatica from a piriformis ganglionic cyst and we report the clinical characterics and progress after non-operative treatment by ultrasonography-guided aspiration. The two cases were diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging and were treated by ultrasonography-guided aspiration. We followed the patients for more than 6months. The symptoms of piriformis syndrome from the ganglion improved following aspiration and this conservative treatment is a treatment method that can be used without extensive incision or cyst excision.

Level of evidence: Level IV historical case.

Keywords: Ganglion; Interventional sonography; Piriformis muscle; Sciatica.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Ganglion Cysts / complications*
  • Ganglion Cysts / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Piriformis Muscle Syndrome / etiology*
  • Sciatica / etiology*