Symptomatic ganglion cysts of cruciate ligaments of the knee: A series of nine cases

Abstract

BackgroundGanglion cysts of cruciate ligaments of the knee are uncommon, especially because a proportion of them are asymptomatic. Moreover, symptomatic lesions have diverse presentation and are not easily detected in physical examinations. The purpose of this report was to define the relationship between clinical symptoms and the sites of ganglia of cruciate ligaments of the knee. Materials and methodsWe conducted a retrospective review of a series of nine patients treated at our institute for intra-articular ganglion cysts of cruciate ligaments of the knee. One patient presented with pain and an inability to fully extend the knee. The remaining eight patients presented with nonspecific pain or pain during knee flexion and/or extension. The diagnosis and definite location of ganglia of cruciate ligaments were confirmed by arthroscopy. All patients were treated by ganglionectomy using arthroscopic techniques. ResultsSubstantial cyst impingements were observed during knee motion using arthroscopy. At the last follow-up, all but one patient had achieved considerable symptomatic improvement after arthroscopic ganglionectomy. ConclusionWe suggest that depending on cyst location, a more applicable hypothesis for knee joint pain during motion is cyst impingement on the other cruciate ligament or the intercondylar notch.