The popliteal cyst.
A popliteal cyst, originally called Baker's cyst, is a synovial fluid-filled mass located in the popliteal fossa. The most common synovial popliteal cyst is considered to be a distension of the bursa located beneath the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. Usually, in an adult patient, an underlying intra-articular disorder is present. In children, the cyst can be isolated and the knee joint normal. The anatomy, etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, imaging and treatment modalities of the popliteal cyst are presented. The authors try to answer some questions dealing with this condition. Is the cyst isolated, can it be treated as such, is its origin always well-defined and does surgical excision provide a permanent cure?
Fritschy
Daniel
D
Département de Chirurgie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, 1211, Geneva 14, Switzerland. daniel.fritschy@hcuge.ch
Fasel
Jean
J
Imbert
Jean-Claude
JC
Bianchi
Stefano
S
Verdonk
René
R
Wirth
Carl Joachim
CJ
D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011151:Popliteal Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009626:Terminology as Topic