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. 1998 Jan;26(1):15-20.
doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0096(199801)26:1<15::aid-jcu4>3.0.co;2-m.

Sonographic appearances of meniscal cysts

R Seymour  1 , D C Lloyd
Affiliations

Sonographic appearances of meniscal cysts

R Seymour et al. J Clin Ultrasound. 1998 Jan.

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted to define the sonographic appearances of cysts of the tibial menisci.

Methods: Thirteen cases of meniscal cyst, proven by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were assessed using high-resolution sonography, and results of the 2 imaging modalities were correlated.

Results: Seven meniscal cysts were lateral to the joint line, and 6 were located medially. MRI showed all 13 cysts to be associated with a tear of the adjoining meniscus. On sonograms, cyst size varied from 9 to 56 mm. Echotexture varied from uniformly hypoechoic or hypoechoic with echogenic septa to heterogeneously hyperechoic. Septated cysts were demonstrated by MRI and sonography.

Conclusions: Because of their diverse echo patterns, meniscal cysts may be easily mistaken for soft-tissue tumors, ganglions, or other lesions, which may result in surgery being inappropriately recommended. This is particularly true in the case of echogenic cysts. The cardinal sonographic characteristic of a meniscal cyst is its continuity with the meniscus, not its echotexture.

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