Percutaneous Ultrasound-guided Treatment of Shoulder Pain from Spinoglenoid Notch Paralabral Cyst: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Spinoglenoid notch ganglion cysts, also known as paralabral cysts, are most commonly associated with labral tears or posterior shoulder capsule insufficiency that can compress the suprascapular nerve (SSN) in the spinoglenoid notch, leading to posterior shoulder pain. These mucin-filled cysts can also present symptoms of glenohumeral joint instability, as well as pain and/or weakness of the infraspinatus muscle. Traditionally, management involves magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based diagnosis, followed by surgical repair of the underlying pathology and cyst removal. However, less invasive treatments, such as ultrasound-guided cyst aspiration and corticosteroid injection, have shown promising results. We present the case of a 38-year-old male who developed right posterior shoulder pain, and later, with MRI, a spinoglenoid notch ganglion cyst was found compressing the SSN. The patient opted for a nonsurgical approach, undergoing ultrasound-guided aspiration followed by corticosteroid injection. This intervention led to significant pain relief and functional improvement, demonstrating the efficacy of minimally invasive treatment for this condition.