GIANT SYNOVIAL CYST OF THE HIP - AN UNUSUAL PRESENTATION WITH COMPRESSION OF THE FEMORAL VESSELS

A case of synovial cyst of the hip with symptomatic compression of the femoral vessels is described. A 75-year-old woman with severe unilate ral osteoarthritis of the right hip was referred because of an intermi ttent, unpleasant sensation of coolness in the right foot and hip pain . A large mass was palpable in the femoral triangle. Computed tomograp hy and arthrography revealed a large cyst communicating with the hip j oint and compressing the femoral vessels ventrally. Total hip arthropl asty was carried out, and the stalk communicating with the cyst was li gated and divided. The unpleasant sensation of coolness in the right f oot disappeared postoperatively. The authors concluded that iliopsoas bursitis should be considered in the evaluation of a patient with nons pecific pelvic or groin pain. As demonstrated in this rare case, the m ain symptom may be misleading and the typical syndrome of a tender gro in mass with an underlying history of rheumatoid arthritis may be abse nt. Treatment should be directed to the underlying joint disease.