Ganglion is a painless cyst which usually appears on soft tissues such as a tendon or fascia. It usually appears around the joints of the foot and the hand.
Causes are unknown, although it appears to be related to a defect in the joint capsule or tendon lining It has also been linked to previous traumatisms.
Ganglions usually appear as a soft bulge of 1-3cm / 0.5 1.5 inches in diameter, that practically does not move on exploration. In some cases, it may produce mild pain after a trauma. If the ganglion is connected to a tendon, there may be a feeling of weakness in the affected finger.
The diagnosis is obtained with a complete medical history and physical examination. A cyst puncture, ultrasound, or MRI may also be performed.
The main therapeutic options include aspiration of the cyst and surgery to remove the cyst.
- De Keyser F. Ganglion cysts of the wrist and hand [Internet] UpToDate; 2015 [Last access: June 1, 2017]. Available at http://uptodates.riberasalud.csinet.es/contents/ganglion-cysts-of-the-wrist-and-hand
- Dyer SM, Simmons BP. The wrist and hand. In: Rheumatology, 6, Hochberg MC, Silman AJ, Smolem JS, et al. (Eds), Mosby, St.Louis 2015. Vol 1, p.624
- Suen M, Fung B, Lung CP. Treatment of ganglion cysts. ISRN Orthop 2013; 2013:940615
- Diccionario terminológico de ciencias médicas, 13ª edición. Masson
