title: Cysts, geodes, and erosions.
abstract: Subchondral cystic lesions are common features that are associated with many arthropathies and synovial-based processes. Although not comprehensive in scope, this article correlated the pathophysiology and imaging features of several of these disorders to better understand the associated subchondral lucencies. The imaging features of these subchondral cystic lesions were described in each process, and, in some cases, demonstrated overlapping features. By becoming familiar with the disease processes and recognizing the imaging appearances and associated clinical findings, the radiologist will be better able to differentiate these benign entities from more aggressive processes, such as tumor. Subchondral cystic lesions are common features that are associated with many arthropathies and synovial-based processes. Although not comprehensive in scope, this article correlated the pathophysiology and imaging features of several of these disorders to better understand the associated subchondral lucencies. The imaging features of these subchondral cystic lesions were described in each process, and, in some cases, demonstrated overlapping features. By becoming familiar with the disease processes and recognizing the imaging appearances and associated clinical findings, the radiologist will be better able to differentiate these benign entities from more aggressive processes, such as tumor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 4500 San Pablo Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32207, USA. bancroft.laura@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Laura W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Bancroft
authors.forename: Jeffrey J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kransdorf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001168:Arthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001845:Bone Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015838:Chondromatosis, Synovial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006073:Gout / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015745:Granuloma, Foreign-Body / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D013586:Synovitis, Pigmented Villonodular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*