Acute Traumatic Myelopathy Secondary to a Thoracic Cyst in a Professional Football Player

STUDY DESIGN.Case report of acute traumatic myelopathy secondary to thoracic synovial cyst in a professional football player. OBJECTIVE.To emphasize examination for myelopathy and describe the radiographic and magnetic resonance findings of a rare source of traumatic myelopathy. BACKGROUND.Magnetic resonance imaging is the best initial evaluation for myelopathy in a traumatic setting. Heightened awareness during evaluation of a player involved in a traumatic incident allowed the diagnosis of potential cord damage and paralysis. METHODS.A subject with symptoms resulting from a direct blow to the back was evaluated for myelopathy, with diagnosis assisted by magnetic resonance imaging used to pinpoint the source of the disorder. RESULTS.The diagnosis allowed a surgical excision of the traumatic synovial cyst and full recovery of the injured football player. CONCLUSIONS.Awareness during examination for myelopathy in an acutely injured athlete is imperative to prompt the clinician to order the proper diagnostic studies and thereby embark on a surgical correction of the problem.