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Highlights & Basics
- Ganglion cysts are the most common benign lesion of the hand/wrist.
- Typically, insidious onset with no predisposing conditions.
- Usually only a cosmetic problem but local pain and neurovascular compression may occur.
- Conservative management usually suffices if no neurovascular compromise.
- Aspiration of dorsal cysts can be therapeutic and diagnostic.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
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Citations
American College of Radiology. ACR appropriateness criteria: soft tissue masses. 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]
American College of Radiology. ACR appropriateness criteria: chronic hand and wrist pain. 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Lee I. Clinical treatments for wrist ganglia. ASERNIP-S Report No. 63. Adelaide, South Australia: ASERNIP-S, October 2008 [internet publication].[Full Text]
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16. Wong AS, Jebson PJ, Murray PM, et al. The use of routine wrist radiography is not useful in the evaluation of patients with a ganglion cyst of the wrist. Hand (NY). 2007 Sep;2(3):117-9.[Abstract][Full Text]
17. American College of Radiology. ACR appropriateness criteria: soft tissue masses. 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]
18. American College of Radiology. ACR appropriateness criteria: chronic hand and wrist pain. 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]
19. Blam O, Bindra R, Middleton W, et al. The occult dorsal carpal ganglion: usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound in diagnosis. Am J Orthop. 1998 Feb;27(2):107-10.[Abstract]
20. Zanetti M, Saupe N, Nagy L. Role of MR imaging in chronic wrist pain. Eur Radiol. 2007 Apr;17(4):927-38.[Abstract]
21. Goldsmith S, Yang SS. Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of occult dorsal wrist ganglions. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2008 Oct;33(5):595-9.[Abstract]
22. Plate AM, Lee SJ, Steiner G, et al. Tumorlike lesions and benign tumors of the hand and wrist. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2003 Mar-Apr;11(2):129-41.[Abstract][Full Text]
23. Teefey SA, Dahiya N, Middleton WD, et al. Ganglia of the hand and wrist: a sonographic analysis. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2008 Sep;191(3):716-20.[Abstract]
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27. Calif E, Stahl S, Stahl S. Simple wrist ganglia in children: a follow-up study. J Pediatr Orthop B. 2005 Nov;14(6):448-50.[Abstract]
28. Dias J, Buch K. Palmar wrist ganglion: does intervention improve outcome? A prospective study of the natural history and patient-reported treatment outcomes. J Hand Surg Br. 2003 Apr;28(2):172-6.[Abstract][Full Text]
29. Richman JA, Gelberman RH, Engber WD, et al. Ganglions of the wrist and digits: results of treatment by aspiration and cyst wall puncture. J Hand Surg Am. 1987 Nov;12(6):1041-3.[Abstract]
30. Zubowicz VN, Ishii CH. Management of ganglion cysts of the hand by simple aspiration. J Hand Surg Am. 1987 Jul;12(4):618-20.[Abstract]
31. Varley GW, Needoff M, Davis TR, et al. Conservative management of wrist ganglia. Aspiration versus steroid infiltration. J Hand Surg Br. 1997 Oct;22(5):636-7.[Abstract]
32. Urits I, Smoots D, Anantuni L, et al. Injection techniques for common chronic pain conditions of the hand: a comprehensive review. Pain Ther. 2020 Jun;9(1):129-42.[Abstract][Full Text]
33. Head L, Gencarelli JR, Allen M, et al. Wrist ganglion treatment: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Hand Surg Am. 2015 Mar;40(3):546-53.e8.[Abstract][Full Text]
34. Mooney ML, Jacobs CA, Prusick VW, et al. Pediatric ganglion cyst recurrence: location isn't the only risk factor. J Pediatr Orthop. 2020 Aug;40(7):340-3.[Abstract]
35. Crawford C, Keswani A, Lovy AJ, et al. Arthroscopic versus open excision of dorsal ganglion cysts: a systematic review. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2018 Jul;43(6):659-64.[Abstract][Full Text]
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37. Clay NR, Clement DA. The treatment of dorsal wrist ganglia by radical excision. J Hand Surg Br. 1988 May;13(2):187-91.[Abstract]
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