title: Anterior wrist ganglion.
abstract: This study examined the treatment of anterior wrist ganglions by aspiration and injection or surgical excision. Eighty-four patients treated for an anterior wrist ganglion were studied, with an average followup period of 5 years. Initial treatment by aspiration and injection with corticosteroid was performed in 24 patients, with recurrence in 20. A second aspiration and injection was associated with recurrence in all. Of the 72 patients who underwent surgical excision 14 experienced a recurrence of the ganglion. Four patients with a recurrence underwent a second surgical procedure with successful excision in two patients. The origin of the majority of surgically treated ganglions was on the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint and radiocarpal joint. Because of a large number of recurrences after nonoperative treatment, surgical excision is recommended as the primary definitive treatment for anterior wrist ganglions Aspiration and injection may provide palliative relief of symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Cooney
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ilstrup
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013396:Suction; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods; D013581:Synovial Cyst / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014953:Wrist / Q000601:surgery*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000601:surgery*