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. 2015 Nov 16;46(6):630-3.
doi: 10.1016/S2255-4971(15)30317-7. eCollection 2011 Nov-Dec.

BAKER'S CYST

Affiliations

BAKER'S CYST

Marco Kawamura Demange. Rev Bras Ortop. .

Abstract

Baker's cysts are located in the posteromedial region of the knee between the medial belly of the gastrocnemius muscle and semimembranosus tendon. In adults, these cysts are related to intra-articular lesions, which may consist of meniscal lesions or arthrosis. In children, these cysts are usually found on physical examination or imaging studies, and they generally do not have any clinical relevance. Ultrasound examination is appropriate for identifying and measuring the popliteal cyst. The main treatment approach should focus on the joint lesions, and in most cases there is no need to address the cyst directly. Although almost all knee cysts are benign (Baker's cysts and parameniscal cysts), presence of some signs makes it necessary to suspect malignancy: symptoms disproportionate to the size of the cyst, absence of joint damage (e.g. meniscal tears) that might explain the existence of the cyst, unusual cyst topography, bone erosion, cyst size greater than 5 cm and tissue invasion (joint capsule).

Keywords: Adult; Child; Knee; Popliteal Cyst.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sagittal T1-weighted magnetic resonance image of the knee depicts the presence of Baker's cyst.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance image of the knee depicts the presence of Baker's cyst.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Axial T2-weighted magnetic resonance image of the knee depicts the presence of Baker's cyst.

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