[Ganglion cysts of the knee originating from tendons and ligaments].

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical features and MR imaging findings of the ganglion cysts arising from the tendons and ligaments of the knee.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

One thousand six hundred and twenty knee MR examinations that had been performed in a three-year period were evaluated retrospectively for the presence of ganglion cysts originating from tendons or ligaments. Clinical findings and MRI features of the lesions were noted.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients had a ganglion cyst originating from a tendon or a ganglion, with an incidence of 1.4%. Six lesions were associated with the anterior cruciate ligament, six with the posterior cruciate ligament, six with the medial collateral ligament, two with the lateral collateral ligament, two with the transverse ligament, and one with the patellar tendon. The most common clinical finding was knee pain. There were swelling at the medial side of the knee in two patients, swelling at the lateral side of the knee in one patient and swelling in the popliteal region in one patient.

CONCLUSION

MR appearance of ganglion cysts arising from the tendons and ligaments of the knee is characteristic. Meniscal cysts, pigmented villonodular synovitis, and synovial hemangioma should be considered in the differential diagnosis.