eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Benign Neoplasms

Digital Mucous Cyst: Follow-up

Author: Murad Alam, MD, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Otolaryngology, and Surgery; Chief, Section of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University; Director, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Coauthor(s): David Bickers, MD, Chairman, Carl Truman Nelson Professor, Department of Dermatology, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University; Natalie Ann Kim,, Northwestern University, The Feinberg School of Medicine
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Aug 6, 2009

Follow-up

Complications

  • Digital mucous cysts (DMCs) have a high incidence of recurrence after treatment, typically occurring within 3 months of treatment. Sclerotherapy can result in extravasation of the sclerosant into the joint space. Short freeze-thaw cycles should predominate when cryotherapy is applied to avoid possible scarring of the nail matrix. Local depigmentation has been reported after steroid injection with triamcinolone.
  • Surgical interventions, while possibly slightly more effective in preventing recurrence, have many associated complications. Radial or ulnar deviation of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint with resulting impairment in joint motion can occur. While some nail deformities may be corrected by surgery, residual nail deformities may persist or be created de novo. Other complications include tendon injury, superficial infection, DIP septic arthritis, increased arthritic symptoms in the joint, and persistent swelling, pain, numbness, and stiffness.

Prognosis

  • Digital mucous cysts have a good prognosis. Recurrence is common except with radical surgery, which has significant associated morbidity.
 


More on Digital Mucous Cyst

Overview: Digital Mucous Cyst
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Digital Mucous Cyst
Treatment & Medication: Digital Mucous Cyst
Follow-up: Digital Mucous Cyst
Multimedia: Digital Mucous Cyst
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

digital mucous cyst, digital mucous cysts, DMC, cystomata, myxomatous cutaneous cysts, myxomatous degenerative cysts, periarticular fibromas, synovial lesions of the skin, periungual ganglions, mucous cysts, myxoid cysts, synovial cysts, dorsal cysts, nail cysts, cystic nodules, digital mucoid cysts, digital myxoid cysts, digital mucinous pseudocysts, focal mucinosis, periungual ganglia

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Murad Alam, MD, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Otolaryngology, and Surgery; Chief, Section of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University; Director, Mohs Micrographic Surgery, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Murad Alam, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery, Phi Beta Kappa, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and Women's Dermatologic Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

David Bickers, MD, Chairman, Carl Truman Nelson Professor, Department of Dermatology, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University
David Bickers, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Association of American Physicians, Central Society for Clinical Research, New York Academy of Sciences, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Natalie Ann Kim,, Northwestern University, The Feinberg School of Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Richard K Scher, MD, Professor of Dermatology, University of North Carolina
Richard K Scher, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Cryosurgery, American College of Physicians, American Dermatological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, International Society for Dermatologic Surgery, New York Academy of Sciences, Noah Worcester Dermatological Society, Rhode Island Medical Society, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Michael J Wells, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Mary Farley, MD, Dermatologic Surgeon/Mohs Surgeon, Anne Arundel Surgery Center
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Catherine Quirk, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Brown University
Catherine Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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