Shoulder ganglion cysts in MRI: accompanying tendon pathologies and labral lesions

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate shoulder tendon pathologies and labral lesions that accompanied with ganglion cysts on the shoulder via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Material and Methods: The 893 shoulder MRIs registered in our computer automation system were reviewed retrospectively between January 2014 and December 2018. Thirty-two patients who ganglion cysts observed in three different localizations in MRI were included to our study. Three group were defined as spinoglenoid notch (1st group), paralabral (2nd group), supra acromioclavicular joint (3rd group). The cases age, gender, clinical findings, localization, size and accompanying pathologies were classified. Rotator cuff tendons, the long head of the biceps tendon pathologies and labral lesions were examined. Results: A total of 32 patients were 16 males (mean age 49±15 years) and 16 females (mean age 54.7±14 years). Groups were consisted 15 cases in 1st group, 12 cases in 2nd group and 5 cases in 3rd group. In all groups with ganglion cysts, rotator cuff pathologies were frequently accompanied. There was no a significant difference between the groups in terms of rotator cuff pathologies (p>0.05). Entrapment neuropathy in group 1, the long head of the biceps tendon and labral lesions in group 2 were frequently associated. This association was statistically significant among the groups. Large-sized cysts were observed in group 3. There was a positive correlation between cyst size and the number of accompanying pathologies in the 1st and 2nd groups (r:0.582, p:0.001). Conclusion: In symptomatic shoulder ganglion cysts, understanding ganglion cysts, knowing the pathologies accompanied with ganglion cysts may be useful for surgical plan of cases