06/07/2010
Popliteal cyst.
California Hospital Medical Center
55-year-old male with popliteal cyst.
Procedure: Resection of cystic lesion.
Gross: The specimen consists of 5 pink-tan, irregular tissue fragments measuring 1.5 to 3 cm. in greatest dimension, and aggregating to 4 x 3 x 1.5 cm. One possible loose body is grossly identified, and measuring 1.2 cm. in greatest dimension. The specimen is sectioned. Representative sections are submitted with decalcification.
Micro: Sections show cystic wall tissue lined by synovium. Minute fragments of hyalin cartilage are present in the cystic content. Patchy hyalinization and chronic inflammation are also noted in the cystic wall. H & E stain
Diagnosis:
Synovial cyst (Baker's cyst).
Discussion:
A popliteal cyst, originally called Baker's cyst, is a synovial fluid-filled mass located in the popliteal fossa. The most common synovial popliteal cyst is considered to be a distension of the bursa located beneath the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. Usually, in an adult patient, an underlying intra-articular disorder is present. In children, the cyst can be isolated and the knee joint normal. The anatomy, etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, imaging and treatment modalities of the popliteal cyst are presented. The authors try to answer some questions dealing with this condition. Is the cyst isolated, can it be treated as such, is its origin always well-defined and does surgical excision provide a permanent cure?
References:
Fritschy D, Fasel J, Imbert JC, Bianchi S, Verdonk R, Wirth CJ. The popliteal cyst. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2006 Jul;14(7):623-8. Epub 2005 Dec 14.
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