Ultrasound-guided aspiration and steroid injection of a posterior cruciate ligament ganglion cyst: report of a case

Abstract

Ganglion cysts are benign masses that originate from mucinous degeneration of the connective tissues and are quite rare when arising from the knee joint. Symptoms are often represented by pain, joint tenderness, effusion and occasional swelling with a palpable mass in the popliteal region of the knee. Percutaneous aspiration followed by a corticosteroid injection of a ganglion cyst has either a diagnostic or therapeutic meaning and its guidance through ultrasound allows the operator to make more accurate the procedure, ensuring the correct placement of the needle inside the lesion. We report our experience in the treatment of a voluminous ganglion cyst of the posterior cruciate ligament performed through the ultrasound guidance in a symptomatic young patient.Keywords Ultrasound guidance Á Ganglion cyst Á Posterior cruciate ligament Á Steroid injection Á Knee pain Abstract Le cisti gangliari sono formazioni benigne che derivano dalla degenerazione mucinosa del tessuto connettivo ed il loro sviluppo all'interno della caività articolare del ginocchio è relativamente rara.Esse si manifestano con dolore, versamento articolare, nonché occasionalmente con gonfiore e sottoforma di una massa palpabile a livello della regione poplitea.La loro aspirazione percutanea, eventualmente seguita da un'iniezione di corticosteroide, ha una valenza sia diagnostica che terapeutica e l'ausilio della guida ecografica permette all'operatore di rendere la procedura la più accurata possibile, assicurando il corretto posizionamento dell'ago all'interno della lesione.Vogliamo riportare la nostra esperienza nel trattamento percutaneo tramite guida ecografica di una voluminosa cisti gangliare del legamento crociato posteriore in una giovane paziente sintomatica.

Diagnosis and Treatment of a Symptomatic Posterior Cruciate Ganglion Cyst in a Child with Autism

“…Nonoperative methods of treating these lesions are computed tomography (CT) or ultrasound-guided percutaneous aspiration [ 24 ]. The main advantages of those nonoperative procedures include quicker recovery time and decreased invasiveness [ 9 ].…”

Painfull Posterior Cruciate Ligament Ganglion Cyst. A Case Report

“…Ganglion cysts (GC) are benign tumor-like lesions usually going out from mucinous degeneration of collagenous structures [1,2]. They could occur in several anatomic areas but GC arising from cruciate ligaments are rare [3,4] with a prevalence of 0.36% or 0.8% respectively when diagnosed by magnetic resonance (MR) or by arthroscopy [3,[5][6] However other studies of GC prevalence refer ranges from 0.2% to 1.9% [7][8][9], with posterior cruciate ligament ganglion cysts (PCLGC) being five times less frequent than those identify in anterior cruciate ligament [5,10].…”

“…The knee joint could present a slight effusion, restriction to extension and particularly in extreme flexion [1,4]. The common classification of cruciate ligament cysts is supported on the position of the cyst, anterior, posterior or between cruciate ligaments [7].…”

“…MR is the gold standard for detecting GC1. Recently observation by ultrasonography is considered useful for identifying and locating the lesion, as well as being a conservative approach to treat cystic lesions [1].…”