Ap. Andonopoulos et al., BAKERS CYST IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS - AN ULTRASONOGRAPHIC STUDY WITH A HIGH-RESOLUTION TECHNIQUE, Clinical and experimental rheumatology, 13(5), 1995, pp. 633-636
Objective. To determine the prevalence of popliteal cyst (Baker's cyst
) in rheumatoid arthritis (RAJ, through the use of a very sensitive an
d non-invasive method high resolution ultrasonography. The present is
the first such report in the literature. Methods. Ninety-nine unselect
ed consecutive patients with RA, after undergoing routine clinical and
laboratory evaluation had knee radiographs and ultrasound examination
s of both knees, the popliteal fossae and calves, using an Ultramark 9
ATL apparatus with a 3 MHZ curved array and 10 MHz linear array heads
and color doppler ability. Results. A Baker's cyst was detected in 47
patients (47.5%) and in a total of 67 out of the 198 knees (33.8%). Fo
ur of the 67 cysts were ruptured. Only 29 of the 67 cysts (43.3%) had
been diagnosed clinically. A statistically significant correlation was
found between the presence of a Baker's cyst and clinical and radiolo
gic involvement of the knee by rheumatoid arthritis (p < 0.025, and p
< 0.05 respectively). There was a highly significant correlation betwe
en the presence of a cyst and ultrasonographically demonstrated joint
effusion (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Baker's cyst is very common in RA bu
t it may escape clinical detection. High resolution ultrasound scannin
g of the area is a simple, highly sensitive and non-invasive technique
able to overcome this problem. Therefore, it should be more widely em
ployed by clinicians in the diagnosis of popliteal cysts, which may so
metimes be accompanied by significant morbidity.