Ganglia: The patient's perception

This study investigates the concerns of 50 patients with ganglia and their reasons for primary care consultation and referral to a hand unit. Although a minority of patients sought advice and treatment because of pain, more ( 38%) were concerned about the cosmetic appearance and a significant number (28%) were concerned that their ganglion was a malignant growth. The genera l practitioners referred 70% of patients to the hand clinic for "excision o f the ganglion" and 30% for further "advice and treatment". However, 74% of patients were satisfied with aspiration of the ganglion and general advice .