Ganglions Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Aug 22, 2022
  • Author: Valerie E Cothran, MD; Chief Editor: Harris Gellman, MD  more...
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DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

The differential diagnosis of dorsal wrist ganglion includes the following:

  • Infection
  • Extensor digitorum brevis manus muscle belly
  • Proximal pole of scaphoid (dorsiflexed intercalated-segment instability [DISI])
  • Proximal pole of lunate (volarflexed intercalated-segment instability [VISI])
  • Scaphotrapezial arthritis
  • Carpometacarpal (CMC) boss
  • Venous aneurysm
  • Neuroma
  • Sarcoma

The differential diagnosis of volar wrist ganglion includes the following:

The differential diagnosis of volar retinacular ganglion includes the following:

The differential diagnosis of mucous cyst includes the following:

The differential diagnosis of extensor tendon ganglion includes the following:

  • Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath
  • Tenosynovitis
  • Extensor digiti brevis manus muscle belly
  • Dorsal wrist ganglion
  • CMC boss

The differential diagnosis of intraosseous ganglion cyst includes the following: