Soft Tissue Swellings Flashcards
What is a ganglion cyst
A cyst that occurs around a synovial joint or synovial tendon sheath as the result of out-pouching or herniation of a weak portion of a joint capsule or tendon sheath
What causes the weakness of joint capsules or tendon sheath to lead to a ganglion cyst
Developmental - e.g. juvenile Baker’s cyst
Underlying joint damage with a buildup of pressure in the joint - e.g. OA, wrist ganglion, mucus cyst of DIP joint
Appearance of a ganglion cyst
well-defined
firm
transilluminable
Tx of ganglion cyst
If causing discomfort or for cosmesis reasons - excision
What are bursa
fluid filled sacs lined with synovium around a joint that prevent friction between bone, tendon, muscle and skin
What causes bursitis
Repeated trauma or pressure that then presents as a soft tissue swelling
Give examples of locations of bursitis
pre-patellar bursitis
olecranon bursitis
bunions
Tx of bursitis
The swelling subsides over time - but a thickened bursal sac can be left
