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. 2011 Summer;19(2):53-5.
doi: 10.1177/229255031101900204.

Ganglion cyst in children: Reviewing treatment and recurrence rates

Tatiana Karine Simon Cypel  1 , Amir Mrad, Gino Somers, Ronald Melvin Zuker
Affiliations

Ganglion cyst in children: Reviewing treatment and recurrence rates

Tatiana Karine Simon Cypel et al. Can J Plast Surg. 2011 Summer.

Abstract
in English, French

Background: Pediatric hand and wrist ganglia seem to have different epidemiological characteristics than those of adults - a majority are found on the volar aspect of the hands and wrists of patients younger than 10 years of age.

Objective: To determine the epidemiology, etiological factors, clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of patients with ganglion cysts at The Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, Ontario).

Methods: The records of the pathology department at The Hospital for Sick Children were searched for all cases of ganglion cyst operated on between January 2000 and December 2008.

Results: Thirty-seven patients underwent treatment for symptomatic ganglion cyst. The mean age of the patients was 9.6 years, and there were 23 females. A mobile nodule was the initial presentation of the ganglion in 64% of the cases. Pain was the most common indication for surgical removal. Only 11.4% of patients experienced previous trauma. In 70% of the cases, the diagnosis was made clinically. The most common sites of occurrence were volar wrist (25.7%), dorsal wrist (22.8%) and the volar aspect of the base of the ring finger (17.1%). Surgical excision was the treatment of choice for 94.2% of the patients with symptomatic lesions. The minimum follow-up period was 12 months. Only one patient (2.8%) presented with recurrence in the series.

Conclusion: Although it is possible that these findings might change with longer follow-up, the present data provide information to help guide the treatment of these cysts. Complete surgical removal is a very effective treatment, with low rates of recurrence.

HISTORIQUE :: Les ganglions de la main et du poignet dans la population pédiatrique semblent partager des caractéristiques épidémiologiques différentes de celles des adultes. En effet, la majorité se situent sur l’aspect palmaire de la main et du poignet des patients de moins de dix ans.

OBJECTIF :: Déterminer l’épidémiologie, les facteurs étiologiques, la présentation clinique, le traitement et les issues des patients ayant des kystes ganglionnaires ayant consulté au The Hospital for Sick Children de Toronto, en Ontario.

MÉTHODOLOGIE :: Les chercheurs ont fouillé les dossiers du département de pathologie de The Hospital for Sick Children afin d’y trouver tous les cas de kystes ganglionnaires opérés entre janvier 2000 et décembre 2008.

RÉSULTATS :: Trente-sept patients, dont 23 filles, ont subi un traitement en raison d’un kyste ganglionnaire symptomatique. Les patients avaient un âge moyen de 9,6 ans. Dans 64 % des cas, un nodule mobile constituait la présentation initiale du ganglion. La douleur était l’indication la plus courante d’excision chirurgicale. Seulement 11,4 % des patients avaient subi un traumatisme préalable. Dans 70 % des cas, le diagnostic était d’ordre clinique. Les principaux foyers d’occurrence étaient l’aspect palmaire du poignet (25,7 %), l’aspect dorsal du poignet (22,8 %) et l’aspect palmaire à la base de l’annulaire (17,1 %). L’excision chirurgicale était le traitement de choix pour 94,2 % des patients ayant des lésions symptomatiques. La période de suivi minimale était de 12 mois. Un seul patient (2,8 %) a présenté une récurrence dans la série à l’étude.

CONCLUSION :: Même s’il est possible que ces observations puissent changer après une période de suivi plus longue, les présentes données fournissent de l’information pour orienter le traitement de ces kystes. Une excision chirurgicale complète représente un traitement très efficace, au très faible taux de récurrence.

Keywords: Children; Ganglion cyst; Surgical treatment.

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Figures

Figure 1)
Figure 1)
Sites of occurrence of ganglion cysts that were surgically treated in children and adolescents 18 years of age or younger
Figure 2)
Figure 2)
Distribution of ganglion cysts that were surgically treated in children 10 years of age or younger
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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