GANGLION CYSTS OF THE LOWER-EXTREMITY - AN ANALYSIS OF 54 CASES AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

This article reviews 54 consecutive patients with lower extremity gang lion cysts that were surgically removed and histologically confirmed a t the Hospital for Special Surgery from 1981 to 1993. Lower extremity ganglia were more common among women. Patients' ages ranged from 13 to 80 years, with the fifth and sixth decades being the most common. Siz e of the cysts ranged from 3 cm to 10 cm (average: 2.9 cm). Thirty-six (67%) patients had ganglion cysts of the foot and ankle, and 18 (33%) patients had ganglion cysts of the knee area. Four (7%) patients had intraosseous ganglia located in the proximal tibia, patella, and the f irst metatarsal head. Follow-up data of 40 (74%) patients at an averag e of 5.9 years (range: 1 to 12.5 years) were obtained. Satisfaction wa s reported by 83% of patients. Recurrence was seen in 10% of patients, and a report of no or mild pain was given by 86% of the group. Patien ts who underwent revision ganglion excision had inferior results. Only 25% reported satisfaction and 50% reported no or mild pain. Patients who underwent curettage of an intraosseous ganglion appeared to have s uperior results. All patients reported satisfaction and no or mild pai n. The performance of a concomitant surgical procedure, the anatomic r egion of the ganglion, or type of postoperative immobilization did not appear to affect the outcome.