Ganglion cysts of the bilateral cruciate ligaments

Ganglion cysts originating from the cruciate ligaments have been reported r arely. A 38-year-old woman developed symptoms of knee pain with 10 degrees loss of knee extension. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed a we ll-demarcated cystic mass surrounding the posterior cruciate Ligament so cl early that further examination was not recommended. Because examination und er anesthesia confirmed full extension of the knee, we presumed that pain p roduced by compression caused the diminished extension, and that mechanical block was not the reason. During arthroscopic examination, a mass was impi nged between the anterior cruciate ligament and the intercondylar notch whe n extension of the knee was attempted. The mass was resected and immediate improvement was noted. The patient had experienced the same episode in the contralateral knee and removal of a ganglion cyst on the cruciate ligament 10 years ago. At the latest follow-up she was completely symptom free in bo th knees without any sign of recurrence.