Arthroscopy Effectively Treats Ganglion Cysts of the Shoulder

Abstract

In the hands of an experienced arthroscopist, arthroscopic decompression of a spinoglenoid notch cyst can lead to resolution of a patient's symptoms and complete functional recovery. In our study, we hypothesized that patients with a spinoglenoid notch cyst who were treated arthroscopically would have return to near normal function of their shoulders and that the outcomes for patients with a spinoglenoid notch cyst and associated labral tears would be no different than the outcomes for patients with a spinoglenoid notch cyst without associated labral tears. We retrospectively evaluated 18 consecutive patients who were treated arthroscopically for a spinoglenoid notch cyst. Nine had isolated arthroscopic decompression, and nine arthroscopic decompression with a labral repair. We used the validated American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) and University of Pennsylvania (Penn) shoulder scores to evaluate patients' outcomes. We found improvements in the postoperative ASES and Penn shoulder scores for all outcomes measured including pain, satisfaction, and function. However, there were no differences in outcome when comparing the group that had decompression with the group that had decompression and labral repair for an associated superior labral anterior posterior tear. Therapeutic study, Level III (retrospective cohort study). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.