From the Guidelines
Ganglion cysts appear due to the leakage of synovial fluid from joints or tendon sheaths, which can be accurately identified using MRI or US, as noted in studies such as 1 and 1. These fluid-filled sacs typically develop when the tissue surrounding a joint or tendon becomes irritated or damaged, causing the synovial lining to bulge outward. The exact trigger is often unknown, but repetitive joint stress, injury, or underlying joint conditions can contribute to their formation. Some key points to consider include:
- Ganglion cysts commonly occur near joints, especially the wrist, hand, ankle, and foot, as mentioned in 1.
- They may develop gradually or appear suddenly, and can fluctuate in size over time.
- Some cysts cause no symptoms and require no treatment, while others may cause pain, weakness, or numbness if they press on nearby nerves.
- Most ganglion cysts are benign and may disappear on their own, though persistent or problematic cysts might require aspiration (draining with a needle) or surgical removal if they cause significant discomfort or functional limitations, as discussed in 1. It's worth noting that the use of imaging studies like MRI or US can help diagnose ganglion cysts and distinguish them from other conditions, such as synovitis or tenosynovitis, as mentioned in 1. Overall, the key to managing ganglion cysts is to prioritize the patient's quality of life and minimize morbidity and mortality, which can be achieved through a combination of accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, as supported by studies like 1 and 1.
From the Research
Ganglion Cysts Appearance
Ganglion cysts are known to appear in various parts of the body, with the most common locations being:
- The wrist
- The hand
- The knee
- The ankle
- The feet They are thought to develop from the mucoid degeneration of connective tissue caused by:
- Chronic irritation
- Chronic repetitive injury
- Chronic ischemia 2
Characteristics of Ganglion Cysts
On magnetic resonance imaging, ganglion cysts are characterized by:
- Well-defined lobulated masses
- Simple or complex fluid signal intensity on all pulse sequences
- Enhancing walls and internal septations on post-contrast images On ultrasonography, they present as:
- Hypoechoic masses
- Internal septations and lobulations of varying sizes
- Without significant vascularity on power or color Doppler sampling A thin fluid neck extending from the structure of origin (tail sign) is a reliable sign of a ganglion cyst 2