Ganglion Cyst Workup

  • Author: Renee Genova; Chief Editor: Harris Gellman, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 15, 2012
 

Imaging Studies

Although a plain radiograph will provide visualization of the cyst, it can identify bony abnormalities that may be causing the symptoms or may contraindicate treatment. In older adults, degenerative joint disease may accompany the cyst at the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint and can be confirmed by the plain radiograph. Magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, or arthroscopic imaging may prove useful in obtaining confirmation of clinical diagnostic findings.[2, 8, 12]

Next

Other Tests

An Allen test should be performed when cysts are located near the radial artery, including most volar wrist ganglia. Ultrasonography is an inexpensive and noninvasive method of assessing the soft tissue.

Previous
Proceed to Treatment & Management
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Renee Genova  University of South Carolina School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

John J Walsh IV, MD  Professor and Chairman, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of South Carolina School of Medicine

John J Walsh IV, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Christian Medical & Dental Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Peter M Murray, MD  Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine; Director of Education, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Jacksonville; Consultant, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville; Consulting Staff, Nemours Children's Clinic and Wolfson's Children's Hospital

Peter M Murray, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association for Hand Surgery, American Orthopaedic Association, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Florida Medical Association, Orthopaedic Research Society, and Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Thomas R Hunt III, MD  John D Sherrill Professor and Director of Orthopedic Surgery, Director of Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine; Surgeon-in-Chief, UAB Highlands Hospital

Thomas R Hunt III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association for Hand Surgery, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, AO Foundation, Mid-America Orthopaedic Association, and Southern Orthopaedic Association

Disclosure: Tornier Royalty Independent contractor; Tornier Ownership interest None; Lippincott Royalty Independent contractor

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS  Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Arthroscopic Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Harris Gellman, MD  Consulting Surgeon, Broward Hand Center; Voluntary Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Surgery, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine

Harris Gellman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, and Arkansas Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

George J Kouris, MD, and Gordon Derman, MD, are gratefully acknowledged for their contributions to this topics.

References

  1. Lin SJ, Dumanian G. Hand, Benign Tumors. eMedicine from WebMD [serial online]. February 2, 2009;1. Accessed June 11, 2009. Available at http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1286448-overview.

  2. Thornburg LE. Ganglions of the hand and wrist. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. Jul-Aug 1999;7(4):231-8. [Medline].

  3. Soren A. Pathogenesis and treatment of ganglion. Clin Orthop Relat Res. Sep-Oct 1966;48:173-9. [Medline].

  4. Chloros GD, Wiesler ER, Poehling GG. Current concepts in wrist arthroscopy. Arthroscopy. Mar 2008;24(3):343-54. [Medline].

  5. Edwards SG, Johansen JA. Prospective outcomes and associations of wrist ganglion cysts resected arthroscopically. J Hand Surg Am. Mar 2009;34(3):395-400. [Medline].

  6. Rocchi L, Canal A, Fanfani F, Catalano F. Articular ganglia of the volar aspect of the wrist: arthroscopic resection compared with open excision. A prospective randomised study. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg. 2008;42(5):253-9. [Medline].

  7. Rizzo M, Berger RA, Steinmann SP, Bishop AT. Arthroscopic resection in the management of dorsal wrist ganglions: results with a minimum 2-year follow-up period. J Hand Surg Am. Jan 2004;29(1):59-62. [Medline].

  8. Plate AM, Lee SJ, Steiner G, Posner MA. Tumorlike lesions and benign tumors of the hand and wrist. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. Mar-Apr 2003;11(2):129-41. [Medline].

  9. Okada K, Miyake J, Kataoka T, Moritomo H, Murase T, Yoshikawa H. Median nerve neuropathy in the forearm due to recurrence of anterior wrist ganglion that originates from the scaphotrapezial joint: a case report. J Brachial Plex Peripher Nerve Inj. Jan 19 2012;7(1):1. [Medline].

  10. Kwak KW, Kim MS, Chang CH, Kim SH. Ulnar Nerve Compression in Guyon's Canal by Ganglion Cyst. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. Feb 2011;49(2):139-41. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  11. Sanders WE. The occult dorsal carpal ganglion. J Hand Surg [Br]. Jun 1985;10(2):257-60. [Medline].

  12. Wang G, Jacobson JA, Feng FY, Girish G, Caoili EM, Brandon C. Sonography of wrist ganglion cysts: variable and noncystic appearances. J Ultrasound Med. Oct 2007;26(10):1323-8; quiz 1330-1. [Medline].

 
Previous
Next
 
Typical appearance of dorsal ganglion cyst.
Recurrent multilobulated left volar ganglion cyst.
Transillumination of recurrent multilobulated left volar ganglion cyst.
Mucous cyst on the radial side of the right long finger.
Retinacular ganglion.
Volar cyst from pisotriquetral joint.
Lumen of pisotriquetral cyst.
Mucous cyst at DIP joint.
Transilluminated mucous cyst.
 
 
 
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2012 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.