Anat Cell Biol.  2014 Sep;47(3):207-209. 10.5115/acb.2014.47.3.207.

Semimembranosus ganglion cyst

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Anatomy, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Kadirkamam, Puducherry, India. subasara@yahoo.com
  • 2Department of Pathology, Indira Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Kadirkamam, Puducherry, India.

Abstract

Ganglion cysts are tumor-like lesions in the soft tissues, generated by mucoid degeneration of the joint capsule, tendon or tendon sheaths on the dorsum of hand, wrist and foot. However, an intratendinous origin for a ganglion cyst is extremely rare. During dissection of the popliteal fossa, a cyst of 2.5 cmx2 cmx0.5 cm was observed in the tendon of right semimembranosus, 3.5 cm above the insertion of the muscle. Contrast X-ray revealed the cyst as not communicating with the knee joint or any adjacent bursae. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of ganglion cyst.

Keyword

Ganglion; Knee; Semimembranosus; Tendon sheath; Degeneration

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Foot
Ganglion Cysts*
Hand
Joint Capsule
Knee
Knee Joint
Tendons
Wrist

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Arrow showing the ganglion cyst on the tendon of right semimembranosus near its insertion in popliteal fossa with magnified image on right. MG, medial head of gastrocnemius; SM, semimembranosus.

  • Fig. 2 Contrast X-ray of right knee. Lateral view showing the stalk of the ganglion not communicating with the joint capsule.

  • Fig. 3 Light microscopy of cyst wall. (A) Low power (LP): ▲, fibrocollagenous tissue; ●, adipose tissue. (B) High power (HP): ■, myxoid degenerative changes.


Reference

1. Resnick DL, Kang HS, Pretterklieber ML. Internal derangements of joints. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier;2007. Vol. 2:p. 1589–1598.
2. Kim SK, Park JM, Choi JE, Rhee SK, Shim SI. Intratendinous ganglion cyst of the semimembranosus tendon. Br J Radiol. 2010; 83:e79–e82.
3. Nahra ME, Bucchieri JS. Open and arthroscopic excision of ganglion cyst and related tumors. In : Wiesel SW, editor. Operative Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins;2011. Vol. 3:p. 3010–3021.
4. Hentz VR, Chase RA. Hand surgery: a clinical atlas. Philadelphia: WB Saunders;2002. p. 739.
5. Thornburg LE. Ganglions of the hand and wrist. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 1999; 7:231–238.
Full Text Links
  • ACB
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr