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. 2022 Feb 21;16(1):124–138. doi: 10.14444/8181

Table 1.

Summary of the characteristics of the included studies.

Authors Year Journal Design Recruitment Interval N Inclusion /Exclusion Criteria Outcome Measurement Cohort Characteristics
Hellinger S et al22 2020 Journal of Spine Surgery P 2008–2014 48

  1. Radiculopathy unresponsive to >12 wk of conservative care

  2. MRI scans showing foraminal or lateral recess stenosis

 VAS scores,MacNab scores Full endoscopy: transforaminal or interlaminar (local anesthesia and monitored sedation)
Tacconi L et al13 2020 World Neurosurgery P 2017–2019 35

  1. A single-level unilateral lumbar JFC

  2. Cysts localized in the paramedian, paraforaminal, or intraforaminal location

  3. Invalidating radicular pain for >6 wk

  4. Adequate imaging (MRI)

  5. Failed percutaneous or conservative treatment

 NPRS scores, MacNab scores Full endoscopy: transforaminal or interlaminar (local anesthesia and monitored sedation)
Kyung-Hoon K et al14 2019 Pain Physician R   40 Lumbar JFC resistant to conservative treatment   Full endoscopy: transforaminal (local anesthesia and monitored sedation)
Hahn P et al23 2018 Orthopedic Proceedings P   60 Single-level lumbar JFCs   Microsurgical vs full-endoscopic approach
Heo DH et al24 2018 World Neurosurgery R 2016 10

  1. Radicular leg pain refractory to conservative management methods

  2. No concomitant segment instability or suspected infectious disease

 ODI scores, VAS scores Endoscopy, contralateral biportal approach a (epidural/general anesthesia)
Siu CK et al25 2018 Journal of Clinical Neuroscience R 2000–2015 46

  1. Patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. Grade I listhesis

 SF-12 values 46 HL
Oertel J M et al26 2017 World Neurosurgery P 2014–2016 11

  1. Detailed neurologic examinations focused on leg and back pain

  2. Histopathologic report of the specimen

  3. No previous lumbar spine surgery

  4. A preoperative MRI scan

 NPRS scores, MacNab scores Full endoscopy, interlaminar (general anesthesia)
Bruder M et al27 2017 Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine R 1997–2004 140

  1. Patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. Not specified exclusion criteria

 NPRS scores, MacNab scores 38 L, 102 HL
Denis DR et al2 2016 International Journal of Spine Surgery R 2003–2014 53

  1. Lumbar JFCs with or without concomitant grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis

  2. Patients without instability on standing flexion-extension radiographs

  3. >6 wk of conservative management

 MacNab scores Mini-invasive surgery: ipsilateral approach
Birch BD et al28 2016 World Neurosurgery R 1999–2015 40 Symptomatic JFCs MacNab scores Mini-invasive surgery: ipsilateral approach
Eshraghi Y et al7 2016 Pain Physician R 2006–2013 30 Patients with moderate to severe lumbar radiculopathy NPRS scores Fluoroscopic-guided rupture (local anesthesia)
Zhenbo Z et al29 2016 European Spine Journal R 2000–2012 24

  1. Lumbago and refractory radiculopathy originated from JFCs

  2. Confirmed by CT or MRI

  3. No lumbar canal stenosis, disc herniation, tumor, or infection

 JOA scores, VAS scores 24 hemilaminoplasty
Alimi M et al30 2015 Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine R 2004–2011 110

  1. No preoperative spondylolisthesis and mechanical back pain

  2. No instability on flexion/extension films

 ODI scores, VAS scores, MacNab scores Mini-invasive surgery: ipsilateral approach
Sukkarieh HG et al31 2015 Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine R 2010–2014 13  Patients without a previous history of spinal surgery VAS scores, MacNab scores Mini-invasive surgery: contralateral approach
Knafo S et al32 2015 Journal of Spinal Disorder & Techniques R 2004–2010 23

  1. Patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. Not specified exclusion criteria

 MacNab scores 8 HL; 2 L + F, 2 L, 8 IL;3 METRX
Komp M et al33 2014 Surgical Innovation P 2009–2010 74

  1. No back pain

  2. No spondylolisthesis more than Meyerding grade I;

  3. No spinal stenosis or disc herniations at higher levels on the same side

 VAS scores, German version of the North American Spine Society scale, Oswestry low back pain scale Full endoscopy: transforaminal/interlaminar(general anesthesia)
Ortiz O et al34 2013 Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery R   20

  1. Unilateral lower-extremity radiculopathy with or without lower back pain

  2. Not responders to conservative management

 NPRS scores Tandem or coaxial percutaneous CT-guided (local and intravenous anesthesia)
Cambron SC et al11 2013 American Journal of Neuroradiology R 2004–2011 154

  1. Lower-extremity radiculopathy corresponding to the JFCs

  2. MR imaging <2 mo before initial percutaneous rupture

   CT-guided cyst aspiration and rupture (local anesthesia and intravenous sedation)
Ganau M et al3 2013 Neurologia Medica-Chirurgica R 2000–2009 15 No specified exclusion criteria MacNab scores 12 HL; 5 L
Ha SW et al35 2012 Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society R 2007–2010 8

  1. Unilateral radicular leg pain

  2. No history of previous lumbar surgery

  3. Failure of appropriate conservative treatment

  4. Neither instability nor spondylolisthesis

 VAS scores Full endoscopy: transforaminal(epidural anesthesia)
James A et al36 2012 Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techiques R 2006–2009 16 Conservative treatment attempted for at least 3 mo VAS scores, MacNab scores Mini-invasive: contralateral approach
Amoretti N et al11 2012 European Radiology R 2006–2010 120

  1. JFCs on MRI (fluid, hemorrhagic, or calcification sign)

  2. Imaging findings consistent with the clinical symptoms

  3. VAS with a score >6/10

 VAS scores, ODI scores CT-guided cyst aspiration and rupture (local anesthesia and intravenous sedation)
Landi A et al37 2012 Neurosurgical Review R 1995–2007 15 No preexistence of spinal instability in preoperative assessment Reported percent of patients with complete vs partial satisfaction 6 L; 9 HL
Schulz M et al16 2011 Ortophade P   45 Sciatica or claudication caused by lumbar JFCs   Microsurgically vs percutaneous cyst rupture
El Shazly A et al38 2011 Asian Journal of Neurosurgery R 2003–2008 13 Patients without previous spinal fusion MacNab scores 13 L
Matsumoto M et al39 2010 Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery P   7 Ineffective conservative treatment JOA scores Microendoscopic
Xu R et al40 2010 Spine R 1990–2009 174

  1. Patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. No specified exclusion criteria

   54 HL; 40 L; 21 FC in situ F; 60 FC and instrumented F
Allen TL et al10 2009 The Spine Journal R 2004–2007 40

  1. No calcified JFCs

  2. No previous cyst aspiration procedure

  3. No multifactorial low back pain or symptoms associated with other underlying lumbar pathologies

 NRS-11 scores, RMDQ scores, satisfaction questionnaire Fluoroscopic-guided cyst rupture
Martha JF et al9 2009 The Spine Journal R 1999–2005 101

  1. Patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. No specified exclusion criteria

 NPRS scores, ODI scores Fluoroscopic-guided rupture(local anesthesia)
Terao T et al41 2007 Neurologia Medica-Chirurgica R 1998–2006 10

  1. Patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. No specified exclusion criteria

 Scores: excellent/good/ poor 10 L
Weiner BK et al42 2007 Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research R 1984–2001 46

  1. patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. no specified exclusion criteria

 VAS scores, satisfaction questionnaire 46 HL
Sehati N et al43 2006 Neurosurgical Focus R 2003–2005 19

  1. >6 wk of nonoperative management

  2. No previous surgery at the JFCs level or at adjacent spinal segments

 MacNab scores Mini-invasive surgery: ipsilateral approach
Acharya R et al1 2006 Neurology India R 1993–1982 26

  1. Patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. No specified exclusion criteria

 Reported percent of satisfactory relief 15 L, 9 HL
Metellus P et al44 2006 Acta Neurochirrgica R 1992–1998 77

  1. Patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. No specified exclusion criteria

 Scores: excellent/good/ poor 51 HL + PF + MF; 26 L + F + MF
Deinsberger R et al15 2006 Journal of Spinal Disorder & Techniques R 2002–2004 30

  1. Patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. No specified exclusion criteria

 MacNab scores 26M MF; 4 L+MF
Sandhu FA et al45 2004 Neurosurgery R 1999–2003 25

  1. Detailed neurological examinations

  2. Dynamic radiological studies of the lumbosacral spine

  3. Preoperative MRI imaging

 MacNab scores Mini-invasive surgery: ispilateral approach
Epstein NE et al46 2004 Spine R   80

  1. Patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. No specified exclusion criteria

 Short Form (36) Health Survey values, MacNab scores 80 L
Pirotte B et al47 2003 Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine R 1990–2001 46

  1. Patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. No specified exclusion criteria

 Reported patients with satisfactory relief 12 IL, 24 HL 10 L
Bureau NJ et al12 2001 Radiology R 1995–2000 12

  1. Patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. No specified exclusion criteria

 MacNab scores Fluoroscopic- and CT-guided cyst rupture
Salmon B et al48 2001 Acta Neurochirgica R 1989–1997 28

  1. Patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. No specified exclusion criteria

 Reported percent of satisfactory relief 28 L
Banning C S et al46 2001 Spine R 1993–1998 29

  1. Patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. No specified exclusion criteria

 Measurement: completely improved/better—still some problems/no change/worse 29 L or HL
Trummer M et al49 2001 Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry R 1994–1998 19 Intractable radicular pain or neurological deficits caused JFCs MacNab scores 6 HL; 5 L; 8 IL
Lyons MK et al50 2000 Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine R 1974–1996 194

  1. Patients with lumbar JFCs

  2. No specified exclusion criteria

 Reported patients with excellent or good scores 159 MF, 23 TF, 12 unknown

aPercutaneous biportal full-endoscopic procedure under continuous irrigation.

CT, computerized tomography; F, fusion; FC, facetectomy; HL, hemilaminectomy; IL, interlaminar approach; JFC, juxtafacet cyst; JOA, Japanese Orthopaedic Association; L, laminectomy; M, medial; METRX, Micro Endoscopic Spine Surgery Retractor; MF, medial facetectomy; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; NPRS, numeric pain rating score; NRS-11, 11-point numeric rating scale; ODI, Oswestry disability index; P, prospective; PF, posterior fixation; R, retrospective; RMDQ, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire; SF-12, 12-Item Short Form; TF, total facetectomy; VAS, visual analog scale.