AN UNUSUAL CASE OF VASCULAR ABNORMALITY MIMICKING A LATERAL MENISCAL CYST

An unusual case of a vascular abnormality mimicking a lateral meniscal cyst is reported. The patient was a 31-year-old active sportsman who presented with intermittent pain over the lateral aspect of the left k nee joint line, occurring only during activities involving twisting mo tions such as playing soccer. He did not experience local tenderness o r swelling, clicking, locking, or giving way. The magnetic resonance i maging, which was done after a diagnostic arthroscopy with normal intr a-articular findings, showed a cyst formation of approximately 4-mm di ameter adjacent to the lateral meniscus periphery, but no meniscal tis sue degeneration. Exactly at the preoperatively marked site of most in tensive pain sensation during twisting motions, surgical exposure show ed a venous-aneurysm-like tumor, which was removed. The operation resu lted in complete relief of symptoms and undisturbed sporting activitie s including soccer.