The prevalence of wrist ganglia in an asymptomatic population: magnetic resonance imaging evaluation

Abstract

Purpose: Ganglia are commonly seen during investigation of patients with wrist pain. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of ganglia in an asymptomatic population.Method: Following institutional ethical approval, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on the wrists of 103 asymptomatic volunteers. There were 67 males and 37 females with an average age of 36 years, range 19–67 years. There were 52 right wrists and 51 left wrists.Using a 1.89-tesla surface coil magnetic resonance imager, coronal T 1, proton density, T 2 and inversion recovery sequences; sagittal inversion recovery sequences; and Axial T 1 and inversion recovery sequences were obtained.The images were then evaluated independently by two musculoskeletal radiologists and one orthopedic surgeon.Results: Wrist ganglia were identified in 53 of the 103 wrists. Wrist ganglia were more prevalent in females than males, 57% compared with 49%, respectively. The average long axis measurement was 7. 5 mm (range 2. 7 to 22.2); the average short axis measurement was 3. 2 mm (range 1. 6 to 10.1). Seventy percent of the ganglia originated from the volar capsule in the region of the interval between radioscaphocapitate ligament and the long radiolunate ligament. Fourteen percent of the ganglia were dorsal and originated from the dorsal, distal fibers of the scapholunate ligament. Two ganglia had surrounding soft tissue edema and one had an associated intraosseous component.Conclusion: The prevalence of asymptomatic wrist ganglia is high, 51%. Unlike previous surgical and pathological series, our study showed volar wrist ganglia are more common than dorsal wrist ganglia. The vast majority of these asymptomatic ganglia do not show associated ligamentous disruption, soft tissue edema, or intraosseous communication. Purpose: Ganglia are commonly seen during investigation of patients with wrist pain. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of ganglia in an asymptomatic population. Method: Following institutional ethical approval, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on the wrists of 103 asymptomatic volunteers. There were 67 males and 37 females with an average age of 36 years, range 19–67 years. There were 52 right wrists and 51 left wrists. Using a 1.89-tesla surface coil magnetic resonance imager, coronal T 1, proton density, T 2 and inversion recovery sequences; sagittal inversion recovery sequences; and Axial T 1 and inversion recovery sequences were obtained. The images were then evaluated independently by two musculoskeletal radiologists and one orthopedic surgeon. Results: Wrist ganglia were identified in 53 of the 103 wrists. Wrist ganglia were more prevalent in females than males, 57% compared with 49%, respectively. The average long axis measurement was 7. 5 mm (range 2. 7 to 22.2); the average short axis measurement was 3. 2 mm (range 1. 6 to 10.1). Seventy percent of the ganglia originated from the volar capsule in the region of the interval between radioscaphocapitate ligament and the long radiolunate ligament. Fourteen percent of the ganglia were dorsal and originated from the dorsal, distal fibers of the scapholunate ligament. Two ganglia had surrounding soft tissue edema and one had an associated intraosseous component. Conclusion: The prevalence of asymptomatic wrist ganglia is high, 51%. Unlike previous surgical and pathological series, our study showed volar wrist ganglia are more common than dorsal wrist ganglia. The vast majority of these asymptomatic ganglia do not show associated ligamentous disruption, soft tissue edema, or intraosseous communication.