Multimedia
 | Media file 1: Valvular mechanism of Baker cyst. Effusion and fibrin are pumped (large arrows) into the Baker cyst (long, thin arrows). In the Bunsen-valve mechanism, the enlarging Baker cyst exerts mass effect (feathered arrow) on the slitlike communication between the joint and the cyst, trapping effusion. In the ball-valve mechanism, fibrin serves as a 1-way valve that prevents the effusion's return to the knee joint. Trapped effusion is reabsorbed through the semipermeable membrane (short, thin arrows), leaving behind concentrations of fibrin. (MFC: medial femoral condyle; MTP: medial tibial plateau; G: medial head of gastrocnemius muscle; SM: semimembranosus muscle) |
 | Media file 2: Anteroposterior radiograph of the knee shows uniform joint-space loss in the medial and lateral knee compartments without osteophytosis. A Baker cyst is seen medially (arrowhead). |
 | Media file 3: Transverse ultrasonographic image of the knee in a patient who had recent arthroscopy shows a complex, cystic mass (arrow) in the medial aspect of popliteal fossa. The mass communicates with the knee joint (arrowhead), which is consistent with a Baker cyst. |
 | Media file 4: Longitudinal ultrasonographic image of a Baker cyst in a patient who underwent recent knee arthroscopy. |
 | Media file 5: Transverse ultrasonographic image of the popliteal fossa shows a complex, cystic mass (arrowhead). |
 | Media file 6: Transverse color Doppler ultrasonographic image of the popliteal fossa shows multiple cysts surrounding a normal-sized popliteal artery (A), which is consistent with cystic adventitial degeneration. |
 | Media file 7: Axial, T2-weighted magnetic resonance image with fat saturation reveals a Baker cyst connected to the knee joint by way of a narrow neck between the tendons of the medial head of the gastrocnemius and semimembranosus muscles. |
 | Media file 8: Anteroposterior radiograph of the knee shows calcifications (arrowhead) overlying the medial tibial plateau. |
 | Media file 9: Lateral radiograph of the knee shows multiple calcified bodies (arrowhead) posterior to the knee, which is consistent with synovial osteochondromatosis. |
 | Media file 10: Lateral radiograph of the knee shows a calcified body (arrowhead), which appears to be a large fabella, posterior to the knee. |
 | Media file 11: Anteroposterior radiograph of the knee shows that a calcified body (arrowhead) is overlying the medial femoral condyle, making a fabella highly unlikely. The calcified, loose body is in a Baker cyst. |
 | Media file 12: Axial, T2-weighted magnetic resonance image of the knee shows effusion, synovial proliferation (white arrowhead), and a Baker cyst that contains debris (black arrowhead). |
 | Media file 13: Axial, T1-weighted magnetic resonance image of the knee after the intravenous administration of gadolinium shows synovial enhancement (arrowhead). |
 | Media file 14: Sagittal, T2-weighted magnetic resonance image with fat saturation of the knee shows a large knee effusion and a Baker cyst. |
 | Media file 15: Sagittal, T2-weighted magnetic resonance image with fat saturation of the knee, lateral to the view in Image above, shows a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. |
 | Media file 16: Sagittal, T2-weighted magnetic resonance image with fat saturation shows a complicated Baker cyst containing multiple internal septations. |
 | Media file 17: Sagittal, T2-weighted magnetic resonance image shows a Baker cyst containing hypointense, loose bodies. |
 | Media file 18: Axial, T2-weighted magnetic resonance image with fat saturation shows a Baker cyst containing hypointense, loose bodies. |
 | Media file 19: Arthrography of the knee performed prior to radioactive synoviorthesis shows leakage of contrast (arrow) just superior to the sinus (arrowhead and "BB" marker). |
 | Media file 20: Anteroposterior radiograph of the knee shows multiple tiny lucencies superior to the medial femoral condyle (arrowhead). |
 | Media file 21: Lateral radiograph of the knee shows multiple tiny lucencies (arrowhead) posterior to the knee. |
 | Media file 22: Contrast-enhanced, axial computed tomography (CT) scan of the knee shows multiple gaslike lucencies within a Baker cyst and synovial enhancement. |
More on Baker Cyst |
| Overview: Baker Cyst |
| Imaging: Baker Cyst |
| Follow-up: Baker Cyst |
 Multimedia: Baker Cyst |
| References |
| Further Reading |
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Further Reading
Related eMedicine topics
Osteoarthritis
Neuropathic Arthropathy (Charcot Joint)
Arthrocentesis, Knee
The Approach to the Painful Joint
Patellofemoral Joint Syndromes
Cystic Lesions About the Knee
Knee Injury, Soft Tissue
Clinical guideline
Ultrasonographic examinations: indications and preparation of the patient.
Finnish Medical Society Duodecim - Professional Association. 2000 Apr 18 (revised 2007 Jan 11). Various pagings. NGC:005501
Keywords
Baker cyst, Baker's cyst, popliteal cyst, popliteal bursa, gastrocnemio-semimembranosus bursa, gastrocnemio-semimembranous bursa, gastrocnemiosemimembranosus bursa, gastrocnemiosemimembranous bursa
