Baker's cysts mimicking the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis: diagnosis with venous duplex scanning.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and characteristics of Baker's cysts discovered during venous duplex examinations to rule out deep vein thrombosis (DVT).


METHODS
We reviewed the vascular laboratory charts of patients found to have Baker's cysts during venous duplex studies to rule out DVT from October 1988 through December 1995.


RESULTS
Ninety-five (3.1%) of 3072 patients who underwent venous duplex studies were found to have 111 Baker's cysts. Seven of the 95 had coexistent DVT. Ten patients had ruptured cysts, whereas six patients had cysts that compressed the popliteal vein.


CONCLUSIONS
The presentation of DVT and that of a Baker's cyst are similar enough to be difficult to distinguish by clinical examination. Careful examination of the popliteal fossa should be performed during venous duplex examinations regardless of the indication for the study.
Langsfeld
M
M
Department of Vascular Surgery, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87131, USA.
Matteson
B
B
Johnson
W
W
Wascher
D
D
Goodnough
J
J
Weinstein
E
E
D000328:Adult; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011151:Popliteal Cyst / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011152:Popliteal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013977:Tibia / Q000098:blood supply; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex