Baker's cysts mimicking the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis: diagnosis with venous duplex scanning.

Abstract

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). 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. 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. 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.