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Popliteal cyst

MedGen UID:
10853
•Concept ID:
C0032650
•
Anatomical Abnormality
Synonym: BAKER CYST
SNOMED CT: Synovial cyst of knee (240008008); Baker's cyst of knee (240008008); Synovial cyst of popliteal space (240008008); Popliteal cyst (240008008)
 
HPO: HP:0032072
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0008288
OMIM®: 175750

Definition

A fluid-filled mass that is a distention of a preexisting bursa in the popliteal fossa, most commonly the gastrocnemio-semimembranosus bursa. This bursa is unique in that it communicates with the knee joint, unlike other periarticular bursae, via an opening in the joint capsule posterior to the medial femoral condyle. [from HPO]

Clinical features

From HPO
Abnormality of the knee
MedGen UID:
871199
•Concept ID:
C4025676
•
Anatomical Abnormality
An abnormality of the knee joint or surrounding structures.
See: Feature record | Search on this feature
Joint swelling
MedGen UID:
56258
•Concept ID:
C0152031
•
Finding
The presence of swelling in a joint.
See: Feature record | Search on this feature
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Term Hierarchy

CClinical test,  RResearch test,  OOMIM,  GGeneReviews,  VClinVar  
  • CROGVPopliteal cyst

Conditions with this feature

Deficiency of hyaluronoglucosaminidase
MedGen UID:
226942
•Concept ID:
C1291490
•
Disease or Syndrome
Mucopolysaccharidosis type IX (MPS9) is a rare progressive lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficiency of the enzyme hyaluronoglucosaminidase-1, which degrades hyaluronan (summary by Imundo et al., 2011).
See: Condition Record
Deficiency of hyaluronoglucosaminidase

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Clinical outcome of arthroscopic management of popliteal cysts with or without additional posterior open cystectomy.
Xinxian X, Yuezheng H, Jian L, Huachen Y
Orthopade 2018 Jun;47(6):530-535. doi: 10.1007/s00132-018-3573-0. PMID: 29691604
Surgical treatment of popliteal cyst: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Zhou XN, Li B, Wang JS, Bai LH
J Orthop Surg Res 2016 Feb 15;11:22. doi: 10.1186/s13018-016-0356-3. PMID: 26879283Free PMC Article
Arthroscopic treatment of popliteal cysts: clinical and magnetic resonance imaging results.
Ahn JH, Lee SH, Yoo JC, Chang MJ, Park YS
Arthroscopy 2010 Oct;26(10):1340-7. Epub 2010 Sep 24 doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2010.02.012. PMID: 20869836

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Risk factors for residual popliteal cyst after arthroscopic decompression and cystectomy: Associated with degenerative cartilage lesions.
Kim MS, Lee JW, Ahn JH, Min KU, Lee SH
Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2023 Oct;109(6):103595. Epub 2023 Mar 14 doi: 10.1016/j.otsr.2023.103595. PMID: 36921759
Association between knee inflammation and knee pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review.
Dainese P, Wyngaert KV, De Mits S, Wittoek R, Van Ginckel A, Calders P
Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2022 Apr;30(4):516-534. Epub 2021 Dec 27 doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2021.12.003. PMID: 34968719
Baker's Cyst with Knee Osteoarthritis: Clinical and Therapeutic Implications.
Abate M, Di Carlo L, Di Iorio A, Salini V
Med Princ Pract 2021;30(6):585-591. Epub 2021 Aug 2 doi: 10.1159/000518792. PMID: 34348320Free PMC Article
Comparison of clinical outcomes associated with arthroscopic cyst wall preservation or resection in the treatment of popliteal cyst: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Li H, Zhang M, Li Y, Wang H
Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2021 Oct;141(10):1741-1752. Epub 2021 Feb 23 doi: 10.1007/s00402-021-03812-4. PMID: 33620529
Surgical treatment of popliteal cyst: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Zhou XN, Li B, Wang JS, Bai LH
J Orthop Surg Res 2016 Feb 15;11:22. doi: 10.1186/s13018-016-0356-3. PMID: 26879283Free PMC Article

Diagnosis

A diagnostic approach to popliteal fossa masses.
Shah A, James SL, Davies AM, Botchu R
Clin Radiol 2017 Apr;72(4):323-337. Epub 2016 Dec 20 doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2016.11.010. PMID: 28007292
Ultrasound-Guided Knee Procedures.
Lueders DR, Smith J, Sellon JL
Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 2016 Aug;27(3):631-48. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2016.04.010. PMID: 27468670
Popliteal cysts: a current review.
Herman AM, Marzo JM
Orthopedics 2014 Aug;37(8):e678-84. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20140728-52. PMID: 25102502
The popliteal cyst.
Fritschy D, Fasel J, Imbert JC, Bianchi S, Verdonk R, Wirth CJ
Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2006 Jul;14(7):623-8. Epub 2005 Dec 14 doi: 10.1007/s00167-005-0028-z. PMID: 16362357
Ultrasound of the knee.
Friedman L, Finlay K, Jurriaans E
Skeletal Radiol 2001 Jul;30(7):361-77. doi: 10.1007/s002560100380. PMID: 11499776

Therapy

Baker's Cyst with Knee Osteoarthritis: Clinical and Therapeutic Implications.
Abate M, Di Carlo L, Di Iorio A, Salini V
Med Princ Pract 2021;30(6):585-591. Epub 2021 Aug 2 doi: 10.1159/000518792. PMID: 34348320Free PMC Article
Comparison of clinical outcomes associated with arthroscopic cyst wall preservation or resection in the treatment of popliteal cyst: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Li H, Zhang M, Li Y, Wang H
Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2021 Oct;141(10):1741-1752. Epub 2021 Feb 23 doi: 10.1007/s00402-021-03812-4. PMID: 33620529
Ultrasound-Guided Knee Procedures.
Lueders DR, Smith J, Sellon JL
Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 2016 Aug;27(3):631-48. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2016.04.010. PMID: 27468670
Popliteal cysts in adults: a review.
Handy JR
Semin Arthritis Rheum 2001 Oct;31(2):108-18. doi: 10.1053/sarh.2001.27659. PMID: 11590580
Enteropathic arthropathies.
Björkengren AG, Resnick D, Sartoris DJ
Radiol Clin North Am 1987 Jan;25(1):189-98. PMID: 2434970

Prognosis

Risk factors for residual popliteal cyst after arthroscopic decompression and cystectomy: Associated with degenerative cartilage lesions.
Kim MS, Lee JW, Ahn JH, Min KU, Lee SH
Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2023 Oct;109(6):103595. Epub 2023 Mar 14 doi: 10.1016/j.otsr.2023.103595. PMID: 36921759
The fate of Baker's cysts at mid-term follow-up after total knee arthroplasty.
Hommel H, Becker R, Fennema P, Kopf S
Bone Joint J 2020 Jan;102-B(1):132-136. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.102B1.BJJ-2019-0273.R2. PMID: 31888367
Ruptured Baker's cyst: complications due to misdiagnosis.
Tejero S, Fenero-Delgado BT, López-Lobato R, Carranza-Bencano A
Emergencias 2018 Dic;30(6):412-414. PMID: 30638346
Popliteal cysts in children: another look.
Harcke HT, Niedzielski A, Thacker MM
J Pediatr Orthop B 2016 Nov;25(6):539-42. doi: 10.1097/BPB.0000000000000272. PMID: 26808591
Thrombophlebitis and pseudothrombophlebitis in the ED.
Drescher MJ, Smally AJ
Am J Emerg Med 1997 Nov;15(7):683-5. doi: 10.1016/s0735-6757(97)90185-6. PMID: 9375552

Clinical prediction guides

Baker's Cyst with Knee Osteoarthritis: Clinical and Therapeutic Implications.
Abate M, Di Carlo L, Di Iorio A, Salini V
Med Princ Pract 2021;30(6):585-591. Epub 2021 Aug 2 doi: 10.1159/000518792. PMID: 34348320Free PMC Article
Comparison of clinical outcomes associated with arthroscopic cyst wall preservation or resection in the treatment of popliteal cyst: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Li H, Zhang M, Li Y, Wang H
Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2021 Oct;141(10):1741-1752. Epub 2021 Feb 23 doi: 10.1007/s00402-021-03812-4. PMID: 33620529
Clinical, Radiographic, and Ultrasound Findings Between Simple and Complicated Baker's Cysts.
Park GY, Kwon DR, Kwon DG
Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2020 Jan;99(1):7-12. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001263. PMID: 31335340
Arthroscopic internal drainage and cystectomy of popliteal cyst in knee osteoarthritis.
Jiang J, Ni L
J Orthop Surg Res 2017 Nov 23;12(1):182. doi: 10.1186/s13018-017-0670-4. PMID: 29169352Free PMC Article
Surgical treatment of popliteal cyst: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Zhou XN, Li B, Wang JS, Bai LH
J Orthop Surg Res 2016 Feb 15;11:22. doi: 10.1186/s13018-016-0356-3. PMID: 26879283Free PMC Article

Recent systematic reviews

Association between knee inflammation and knee pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review.
Dainese P, Wyngaert KV, De Mits S, Wittoek R, Van Ginckel A, Calders P
Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2022 Apr;30(4):516-534. Epub 2021 Dec 27 doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2021.12.003. PMID: 34968719
Comparison of clinical outcomes associated with arthroscopic cyst wall preservation or resection in the treatment of popliteal cyst: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Li H, Zhang M, Li Y, Wang H
Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2021 Oct;141(10):1741-1752. Epub 2021 Feb 23 doi: 10.1007/s00402-021-03812-4. PMID: 33620529
Popliteal Cysts: A Systematic Review of Nonoperative and Operative Treatment.
Van Nest DS, Tjoumakaris FP, Smith BJ, Beatty TM, Freedman KB
JBJS Rev 2020 Mar;8(3):e0139. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.RVW.19.00139. PMID: 32149934
Surgical treatment of popliteal cyst: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Zhou XN, Li B, Wang JS, Bai LH
J Orthop Surg Res 2016 Feb 15;11:22. doi: 10.1186/s13018-016-0356-3. PMID: 26879283Free PMC Article
Systematic review of MRI, ultrasound, and scintigraphy as outcome measures for structural pathology in interventional therapeutic studies of knee arthritis: focus on responsiveness.
Keen HI, Mease PJ, Bingham CO 3rd, Giles JT, Kaeley G, Conaghan PG
J Rheumatol 2011 Jan;38(1):142-54. Epub 2010 Oct 1 doi: 10.3899/jrheum.100377. PMID: 20889598

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