Treatment of Wrist Dorsal Synovial Cyst with Percutaneous Sclerotherapy Using Hypertonic Saline Solution / Tratamento de cisto sinovial dorsal do punho com escleroterapia percutânea utilizando solução salina hipertônica

Abstract Objective To evaluate the efficacy of hypertonic saline infiltration as a sclerosing agent in the dorsal synovial cyst of the wrist. Method Patients of both genders, aged 18 years or older, with clinical and ultrasound diagnosis of synovial cyst, and without any previous treatment were selected. Case series in which 50 patients underwent aspiration of the contents of the cyst and infiltration of the hypertonic saline solution (2 ml sodium chloride solution 20% and 1 ml of lidocaine 2%). The patients were followed up for 24 weeks, when the parameters pain, strength, range of motion, function (quickDASH and Brief Michigan question), recurrence, and complications were evaluated. Results A total of 46 patients were evaluated for 24 weeks, 18 (39.1%) cysts evolved to resolution, and 28 (60.9%) presented recurrence. There was no statistically significant difference in the effect force or in the range of motion. There was no clinically significant difference in the scores of the questionnaires. The most frequent complications were pain and edema. Conclusion Infiltration with hypertonic saline solution for the treatment of dorsal synovial cyst of the wrist showed a recurrence rate of 60.9%.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar a eficácia da infiltração da solução salina hipertônica como agente esclerosante no cisto sinovial dorsal do punho. Método Pacientes de ambos os sexos, com 18 anos ou mais, com diagnóstico clínico e ultrassonográfico de cisto sinovial, e sem nenhum tratamento prévio foram selectionados. Série de casos em que 50 pacientes foram submetidos a aspiração do conteúdo do cisto e infiltração da solução salina hipertônica (2 ml solução de cloreto de sódio 20% e 1 ml de lidocaína 2%). Seguimento realizado por 24 semanas, durante as quais foram avaliados os parâmetros dor, força, arco de movimento, função (questionários quick disabilities of the arm, hand, and shoulder [quickDASH] e brief Michigan), recorrência e complicações. ResultadoForam avaliados 46 pacientes por 24 semanas, 18 (39,1%) cistos evoluíram para cura e 28 (60,9%) cistos apresentaram recorrência. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante nos quesitos força e arco de movimento. Não houve diferença clinicamente significante nos escores dos questionários. As complicações mais frequentes foram dor e edema. Conclusão A infiltração com solução salina hipertônica para tratamento do cisto sinovial dorsal do punho mostrou taxa de recorrência de 60,9%.

Bilateral brachial synovial cysts in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: Case report and literature review.

AIM: To review the clinical features of brachial synovial cyst. METHOD: A case of bilateral brachial synovial cysts is described in a child suffering from systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis during a relapse. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography were conducted to further evaluate the nature of the cysts. The case is compared with known cases in a literature review. RESULTS: Review of the literature showed that brachial synovial cysts occur most commonly in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. It is considered that uncontrolled systemic inflammation and recurrent disease activity might be the cause of synovial cysts. CONCLUSION: Brachial synovial cyst is a rare manifestation of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Uncontrolled systemic inflammation inducing chronic damage to joint structure may be the primary cause of synovial cyst formation.

Multiple extra-articular synovial cysts accompanied by rheumatoid arthritis in the bilateral elbow joints: A case report.

RATIONALE: Synovial cysts are well known in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and most common in the popliteal fossa. They may produce lots of local symptoms and complaints, which may present initially as an unrelated clinical condition. Few studies have reported multiple extra-articular synovial cysts (MESCs) in the RA patients. Early diagnosis is crucial for patient treatment. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 50-year-old man without any special clinical histories found a soya bean size bump at the left elbow medially, then multiple lumps were found at bilateral elbows and gradually increasing. No pain, no activity, no redness, and swelling. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple cystic lesions in the bursa and surrounding soft tissue of bilateral elbow joints. In addition, the elbow joint bursa was swollen and the synovial membrane was significantly thickened. DIAGNOSES: The man was diagnosed as RA with multiple extra-articular synovial cysts formation. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was performed tylectomy of the right elbow. Other lumps were punctured and injected with compound betamethasone injection. OUTCOMES: The bumps were reduced in size and the swelling relieved, and the patient was sent to the department of rheumatology and immunology for further treatment. LESSONS: In this case, it is difficult for the diagnosis of RA because of no relative histories and simultaneously multiple cystic lesions in multiple joints. Imaging examinations can show the characteristics of such kind of disease and be very helpful for the diagnosis and differentiate diagnosis.

Percutaneous CT-guided facet joint synovial cyst rupture: Success with refractory cases and technical considerations.

Percutaneous image-guided rupture of lumbar facet synovial cysts can improve clinical outcomes and obviate the need for open surgery. This series describes eleven patients who had successful CT-guided lumbar facet synovial cyst ruptures, 82% of which experienced excellent pain relief at a minimum of one-year follow-up. Of the five patients who failed prior fluoroscopic-guided synovial cyst rupture, 80% had a successful CT-guided rupture and one-year sustained pain relief. These findings reinforce minimally invasive CT-guided treatment as an excellent option to improve patient symptoms and potentially avoid open surgery.

Percutaneous Rupture of Zygapophyseal Joint Synovial Cysts: A Prospective Assessment of Nonsurgical Management.

BACKGROUND: Although lumbar zygapophyseal joint synovial cysts are fairly well recognized, they are an uncommon cause of lumbosacral radicular pain. Nonoperative treatments include percutaneous aspiration of the cysts under computed tomography or fluoroscopic guidance with a subsequent corticosteroid injection. However, there are mixed results in terms of long-term outcomes and cyst reoccurrence. This study prospectively evaluates percutaneous ruptures of zygapophyseal joint (Z-joint) synovial cysts for the treatment of lumbosacral radicular pain. OBJECTIVES: Primary: To determine whether percutaneous rupture of symptomatic Z-joint synovial cysts leads to sustained improvements in radicular pain and function. Secondary: To assess the rates of cyst recurrence and progression to surgical intervention following percutaneous rupture of symptomatic Z-joint synovial cysts. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Outpatient academic spine practice. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with primary radicular pain due to a facet synovial cyst. METHODS: Participants underwent fluoroscopically guided percutaneous Z-joint synovial cyst ruptures under standard-of-care practice. Data on pain, physical function, satisfaction, and progression to surgery were collected at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after rupture. An intention-to-treat analysis was used for assessment of patient-reported outcome measures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Numerical Rating Scale, Oswestry Disability Index, and modified North American Spine Society questionnaires were used to measure pain, function, and satisfaction with the procedure, respectively. RESULTS: Thirty-five participants were included in the study, and data were analyzed by an independent researcher. Statistically significant changes in Oswestry Disability Index were reported at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year postintervention (P = .034, .040, and .039, respectively). A statistically and clinically significant relief of current pain was reported at 2 weeks (P = .025) and 6 weeks (P = .014) with respect to baseline. Patients showed significant improvements for best pain at 6 weeks with respect to baseline (P = .031). Patients' worst pain showed the greatest amount of improvement with clinically meaningful changes at all time points compared with baseline. Patient-reported satisfaction was found nearly 70% of the time at all time points. Forty percent (14/35) of participants required repeat cyst rupture, and 31% (11/35) required surgical interventions. CONCLUSIONS: There were statistically and clinically significant improvements in pain and function after percutaneous rupture of Z-joint synovial cysts. In addition, the outcomes support previous retrospective studies indicating that approximately 40% of patients will need surgery. This study provides further research to determine the utility of this procedure and to precisely define a subset of ideal candidates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Técnicas percutáneas con ozono en el quiste facetario lumbar: serie de casos / Percutaneous treatment with ozone for the treatment of the lumbar facet joint cyst: a case series

Los quistes sinoviales de las articulaciones facetarias lumbares son intraespinales, pero extradurales. Estos quistes extradurales pueden localizarse en el ligamento intraespinoso, la articulación facetaria, el ligamento amarillo o el ligamento longitudinal anterior. Aparecen más comúnmente en la cuarta o quinta décadas de la vida y son más frecuentes en la mujer que en el hombre. Se han publicado muchas alternativas de tratamiento contra los quistes facetarios, incluidos el seguimiento, la inyección de esteroides, la aspiración percutánea del quiste, la hemilaminectomía o laminectomía bilateral con o sin fijación y la incisión mínimamente invasiva. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir la evolución clínica y anestesiológica de una serie de pacientes con quistes facetarios, quienes recibieron tratamiento médico con ozono, sin necesidad de intervención quirúrgica. Se presentó la evolución clínica de dos pacientes a los que se les aspiró sus respectivos quistes facetarios y se les inyectó ozono. Una de ellos recidivó y se le aplicó igual tratamiento, cuya evolución ha sido satisfactoria hasta el momento. La aspiración percutánea de los quistes facetarios es un procedimiento eficaz y de mínima invasión, evita la intervención quirúrgica en la columna y la evolución es satisfactoria(AU)

Synovial cysts of the lumbar facet joints are intraspinal, but extradural. These extradural cysts can be located in the intraspinal ligament, the facet joint, the yellow ligament or the anterior longitudinal ligament. They occur more commonly in the fourth or fifth decades of life and are more frequent in women than they are in men. Many treatment alternatives for facet joint cysts have been published, including follow-up, steroid injection, percutaneous cyst aspiration, bilateral hemilaminectomy or laminectomy with or without fixation, and minimally invasive incision. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and anesthesiological evolution of a series of patients with facet joint cysts, who received medical treatment with ozone, without the need for surgical intervention. The clinical evolution was presented of the two patients who were aspirated their respective facet joint cysts and injected with ozone. One of them relapsed and was given the same treatment, and whose evolution has been satisfactory so far. Percutaneous aspiration of facet joint cysts, an efficient and minimally invasive procedure, avoids surgical intervention in the spine and its evolution is satisfactory(AU)

Long-term outcomes of percutaneous lumbar facet synovial cyst rupture.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic value, safety, and long-term clinical outcomes of percutaneous lumbar facet synovial cyst (LFSC) rupture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study was institutional review board (IRB)-approved and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant. The study group comprised 71 patients (44 women, mean age: 65 ± 17 years) who underwent CT- or fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous LFSC rupture. The technical success of LFSC rupture, the long-term clinical outcome, including repeat procedures or surgery, and imaging findings on MRI and CT were recorded. RESULTS: Seventy-nine LFSC ruptures were performed in 71 patients. CT guidance was used in 57 cases and fluoroscopy guidance in 22 cases. LFSC rupture was technically successful in 58 out of 79 cases (73 %). Mean injection volume for cyst rupture was 3.6 ± 2.2 mL and a combination of steroid and anesthetic was injected in all cases. Over a mean follow-up time of 44 months, 12 % of patients underwent repeat cyst rupture, and 46 % eventually underwent surgery, whereas the majority of patients (55 %) experienced symptomatic relief and did not undergo surgery. There was no significant association between a successful outcome and age, sex, level, or size of LFSC (p > 0.1). LFSCs with T2 hypointensity were more likely to require surgery (p = 0.02). There was one complication, a bacterial skin infection that completely resolved following antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous LFSC rupture is an effective and safe nonsurgical treatment option for LFSC. More than half of treated patients were able to avoid subsequent surgery. Therefore, percutaneous LFSC rupture should be considered before surgical intervention.

Evaluation and Treatment of Lumbar Facet Cysts.

Lumbar facet cysts are a rare but increasingly common cause of symptomatic nerve root compression and can lead to radiculopathy, neurogenic claudication, and cauda equina syndrome. The cysts arise from the zygapophyseal joints of the lumbar spine and commonly demonstrate synovial herniation with mucinous degeneration of the facet joint capsule. Lumbar facet cysts are most common at the L4-L5 level and often are associated with spondylosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis. Advanced imaging studies have increased diagnosis of the cysts; however, optimal treatment of the cysts remains controversial. First-line treatment is nonsurgical management consisting of oral NSAIDs, physical therapy, bracing, epidural steroid injections, and/or cyst aspiration. Given the high rate of recurrence and the relatively low satisfaction with nonsurgical management, surgical options, including hemilaminectomy or laminotomy to excise the cyst and decompress the neural elements, are typically performed. Recent studies suggest that segmental fusion of the involved levels may decrease the risks of cyst recurrence and radiculopathy.

Percutaneous Rupture of a Symptomatic Facet Joint Synovial Cyst Using 2-Needle Distention.

OBJECTIVE: This case report calls attention to an alternative approach for management of a symptomatic facet joint synovial cyst. We describe a patient with a symptomatic facet joint synovial cyst who failed an attempted percutaneous rupture using a single-needle technique. This patient was subsequently successfully managed with percutaneous rupture using a 2-needle technique. CASE REPORT: A 60-year-old woman presented with low back pain, right lower extremity pain, and paresthesias. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a right L5-S1 facet joint cyst, which compressed the right L5 nerve root. Before presentation, the patient failed an attempted single-needle percutaneous rupture. The decision was made to proceed with percutaneous rupture using a 2-needle technique. A 22-gauge needle was inserted into the right L5-S1 facet joint, and a Tuohy needle was inserted directly into the cyst through an interlaminar approach. A solution of methylprednisolone and hyaluronidase was simultaneously injected through both needles, and the cyst was continuously distended until rupture was achieved. Rupture was confirmed by injecting contrast into the facet joint and visualizing a normal epidurogram. The patient reported significant pain relief immediately after the procedure. At 4-month follow-up, the patient reported continued pain relief and denied any radicular symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous rupture of a symptomatic facet joint synovial cyst using a single-needle technique has been validated as an efficacious form of management. In a select group of patients who fail single-needle percutaneous rupture, a 2-needle approach for percutaneous facet cyst rupture may be considered as an option for management.

Immediate Reduction of a Retro-odontoid Synovial Cyst Following Lateral Atlantoaxial Joint Puncture and Arthrography: A Case Report.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: We report on a case with a retro-odontoid synovial cyst, and the immediate reduction of the cyst was confirmed after lateral atlantoaxial joint puncture and arthrography. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Retro-odontoid synovial cysts are rare diseases located posteriorly to a dense axis. Because most reports have focused on surgical treatment, only a few have examined nonsurgical treatment. However, several months are required after nonsurgical treatment until cyst regression. METHODS: A 52-year-old female presented with atlantoaxial instability. She complained of neck pain and numbness in her hands. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a retro-odontoid synovial cyst. Lateral atlantoaxial joint puncture and arthrography were performed. RESULTS: Two days after treatment, the patient showed significant improvement in the numbness of her hands, and a follow-up magnetic resonance imaging revealed an immediate reduction in the cyst. During a 4.5-year follow-up period, no recurrence of the clinical symptoms occurred. CONCLUSION: Lateral atlantoaxial joint puncture may immediately reduce retro-odontoid synovial cysts, and the lateral atlantoaxial joint has a communication channel with the retro-odontoid synovial cyst via the atlantodental joint. Once disappearance of the cyst is confirmed, an acceptable long-term outcome can be achieved with nonsurgical treatment even in cases with atlantoaxial instability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

Nail tumors.

Most neoplasms of the nail apparatus have different clinical appearances, courses, and biological behaviors as compared with similar tumors located elsewhere on the skin. Some of these tumors are unique to the nail, such as onychomatricoma. As a general rule, benign lesions respect the general architecture of the nail apparatus, whereas malignant ones are destructive. Our review covers the most common nail tumors, from benign ones to the most frequent nail malignancy, the squamous cell carcinoma, which actually is the greatest simulator. We will also discuss new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma of the nail apparatus. Physicians should be aware of these conditions and their management.

Predicting successful outcomes of wrist and finger Ganglia.

INTRODUCTION: Ganglia are the commonest cause of swellings of the hand and wrist; the documented success of outcomes varies considerably. There is little published data to help predict patients likely to benefit from each treatment modality. We sought to identify factors predicting success of each intervention to provide an evidence basis to inform referral criteria and treatment decisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective series of 140 serial patients referred with confirmed hand and wrist ganglia between June 2005 and January 2011 was studied to a minimum of 12-month follow-up to determine predictors of successful treatment. Treatment was deemed to be successful if the patient did not develop recurrence. Analysis was completed for predictors of successful treatment at presentation; examining gender, presence of pain, duration of symptoms, anatomic location and treatment modality. RESULTS: Treatment success rate following aspiration was 34% for wrist and 58% for finger ganglia and for surgical excision 7% for wrist and 4% for finger ganglia. Surgical excision was significantly more successful than aspiration (p < 0.01). Duration of symptoms greater than one year was significantly associated with increased recurrence rates (relative risk 2.33, p < 0.05) and male sex was associated with lower recurrence (relative risk: 0.54, p = 0.14). Subgroup analysis of different varieties of soft tissue ganglia did not show any statistically significant factors predictive of recurrence, although both painless presentation and male sex were of borderline significance. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Duration of symptoms less than one year and male sex can be used to identify patients likely to benefit from interventional treatments and guide treatment decisions. Surgical excision was significantly more successful than aspiration (p < 0.01).

Treatment of spinal synovial cysts.

BACKGROUND: Spinal synovial cysts are a known cause of back pain and radiculopathy. With the advent of high-resolution imaging techniques, synovial cysts are increasingly diagnosed. There are a variety of treatment options for these lesions. METHODS: A systematic literature review of published articles reporting outcomes after nonsurgical and surgical management of spinal synovial cysts was performed. RESULTS: There were 51 published studies regarding the treatment of synovial cysts identified. Treatment modalities include observation, steroid injections, percutaneous cyst aspiration, hemilaminectomy or bilateral laminectomy with and without instrumented fusion, and minimally invasive cyst excision. CONCLUSIONS: Based on review of the treatment modalities and outcomes, recommendations for the management of patients with synovial cysts are proposed. Observation can be considered in cases where there is no intractable pain. High-risk surgical patients with intractable pain may consider corticosteroid injection or percutaneous cyst aspiration; however, the failure rate of such a procedure approaches 50%. Patients with intractable pain are candidates for surgical resection of the symptomatic cyst. In cases of significant neurologic deficit, motor weakness, back pain, multiple synovial cysts, or spondylolisthesis, bilateral laminectomy and instrumented fusion may offer the best long-term outcome.