Ganglion cyst in the supraspinous fossa: arthroscopically undetectable cases

Kurume Med J. 2013;60(1):21-4. doi: 10.2739/kurumemedj.ms61013. Epub 2013 Aug 7.

Abstract

Studies have demonstrated favorable outcomes of arthroscopic decompression for ganglion cyst in the supraspinous fossa; however, little attention has been paid to the difficulty in detecting these cysts during arthroscopy. In this report, we present 2 cases in which ganglion cysts in the supraspinous fossa were undetectable during arthroscopy. The ganglion cysts were not identified in these cases during surgery despite arthroscopic decompression being performed through the area in which the cyst was expected until the suprascapular nerve was entirely exposed. After surgery, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the disappearance of the ganglion cyst and external rotation strength was fully improved, without shoulder pain. We emphasize here that surgeons should be aware of this difficulty when performing arthroscopic decompression of ganglion cysts in the supraspinous fossa.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arthroscopy*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Decompression, Surgical / methods*
  • Ganglion Cysts / diagnosis*
  • Ganglion Cysts / physiopathology
  • Ganglion Cysts / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain Measurement
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Recovery of Function
  • Shoulder Joint / physiopathology
  • Shoulder Joint / surgery*
  • Shoulder Pain / diagnosis
  • Shoulder Pain / physiopathology
  • Shoulder Pain / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome