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Ganglion cyst
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Ganglion cyst

Contributors: Lisa Altieri MD, Noah Craft MD, PhD, Lowell A. Goldsmith MD, MPH
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Ganglion cysts are benign soft tissue tumors that most frequently occur around the dorsum of the wrist and on the fingers, although any joint can be affected. They can present as a swelling or as joint pain. Ganglion cysts are most common in patients aged 20-40 years but may affect any age group.

They usually present as cosmetic concerns but may uncommonly have associated neurologic or vascular symptoms. If the cyst compresses an underlying nerve, the patient may report distal numbness or weakness. Vascular compression may cause coolness or cyanosis of areas distal to the cyst. The size of the cyst may vary over time and can increase after activity.

Although the exact etiology is unknown, it is likely that a small tear forms in a joint capsule or tendon sheath, allowing extravasation of synovial fluid into the adjacent tissue. When the fluid reacts with local tissue, it becomes more gelatinous and a cyst wall forms. While it has been postulated that ganglion cysts are caused by chronic joint inflammation, this theory is less likely because inflammatory changes are not seen in ganglion cysts.

Related topic: ganglion cyst of wrist

Codes

ICD10CM:
M67.4 – Ganglion

SNOMEDCT:
445008009 – Ganglion cyst

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Last Updated:09/15/2021
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Patient Information for Ganglion cyst
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Ganglion cyst
A medical illustration showing key findings of Ganglion cyst : Cyst, Dorsum of hand, Fingers, Smooth nodule, Wrist, Arthralgia
Clinical image of Ganglion cyst - imageId=6858683. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'A skin-colored subcutaneous nodule on the dorsal wrist.'
A skin-colored subcutaneous nodule on the dorsal wrist.
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