A Cystic Mass in the Popliteal Fossa and Its Differential Diagnosis

A cystic mass arising in the popliteal fossa can be either a meniscal cyst, a synovial cyst (Baker's cyst), or a ganglionic cyst [[1]]. Soft-tissue popliteal masses can be evaluated using physical examinations and imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thereafter, pathologic studies can be used for making a final confirmation of the diagnosis.

Ganglionic cysts are soft-tissue masses caused by the myxoid degeneration of the connective tissue at the joint capsules and tendon sheaths. They are filled with a gel-like material lined with a flat spindle cell membrane. They are common around the wrist or the foot joint. When found in the popliteal fossa, they are mostly intra-articular cysts connected with the knee joint space and can rarely be intramuscular cysts [[2]]. Therefore, surgeons may mistake ganglionic cysts in the popliteal fossa for Baker's cysts or meniscal cysts.

A 47-year-old woman presented to our hospital with an 8-month history of a left calf mass in the popliteal fossa. She reported an increase in size and pain at palpation. She had no history of trauma or systemic diseases. Upon physical examination, we found a firm and fixed mass, measuring about 5 cm×3 cm, over the popliteal fossa. She had a full range of motion of the knee joint and no symptoms.

Preoperative CT revealed a lobulated cystic mass measuring 5 cm×3 cm in the proximal part of the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle. It was not connected within the knee joint space ([Fig. 1]). The mass appeared to be an intramuscular ganglionic cyst or an old hematoma; however, we were not able to rule out Baker's cyst due to the location.

Fig. 1 Preoperative computed tomography scan shows a multi-lobulated hypodense lesion, measuring approximately 5 cm×3 cm, within the proximal lateral gastrocnemius muscle (yellow arrow).

Upon exploration, we opened the muscle sheath and found the mass located in the fiber of the gastrocnemius muscle. Being careful not to damage the lateral and medial sural nerve, we dissected the muscle and soft tissues around the mass and found no connection within the knee joint. Then, we excised the mass with the stalk ([Fig. 2]). The mass was filled with a clear jelly-like fluid ([Fig. 3]). Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of an intramuscular ganglionic cyst ([Fig. 4]). The 8-month postoperative follow-up was uneventful.

Fig. 2 Intraoperative field; the intramuscular ganglionic cyst is seen in the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle.

Fig. 3 The mass is about 5 cm×3 cm in size and has a stalk attached to the lateral ligament of the knee and contains a gelatinous material.

Fig. 4 (A) Pathologic findings (40×), (B) (400×) with multiple cystic chambers containing glairy material. The walls are composed of bland fibrous tissue with no specialized lining and surrounding muscle cells (H&E stain).

Various types of cystic masses can develop in the popliteal fossa. Surgeons should be aware of the distinction among them, given the different treatment options, particularly for meniscal cysts, synovial cysts (Baker's cysts), and ganglionic cysts ([Table 1]).

Table 1 Differential diagnosis of a cystic mass arising in the popliteal area ^a)Non-surgical option is not a definite treatment.

A meniscal cyst is formed by the accumulation of the synovial fluid in the meniscocapsular junction leaking through the tear or degeneration of the meniscus [[3]]. The excision of the cyst and debridement of the damaged meniscus is a gold standard of cyst treatment. If the cyst is confined in the joint space, an arthroscopic approach is possible. A meniscal cyst is differentiated from a Baker's cyst by its lining of spindle-shaped cells, similar to a ganglionic cyst.

A synovial cyst is a common cystic mass, referred to as a Baker's cyst or a popliteal cyst when arising in the popliteal area. It is caused by the bulging of the gastrocnemio-semimembranosus bursa toward the weakest part of the posteromedial joint capsule [[3]]. This cyst affects the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle and is diagnosed by the pathologic confirmation of the synovial lining. A definite treatment is a total excision and ligation of the stalk from the joint space by an arthroscopic procedure in the joint space, if needed.

A ganglionic cyst is commonly found in the wrist as an intra-articular cyst. It is thought to arise from the tendon sheath or joint capsule; however, the underlying mechanism is still unknown. There are few reports of intramuscular ganglionic cysts throughout the body. The treatment of this cyst is total excision, including the stalk from the joint ligament or tendon sheath, in order to prevent recurrence. In our case, the cyst was located in the muscle, thereby requiring en bloc resection, including the surrounding muscle. Temporarily, needle aspiration can be helpful for reducing the cyst size and relieving the symptoms.

We initially thought that the cystic mass was a Baker's cyst due to the common incidence in that location, although the CT findings conveyed the possibility of an intramuscular ganglionic cyst. However, a Baker's cyst arises from the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle and has no stalk-like structure connected with the joint space; hence, we ruled it out.

MRI is more helpful in the diagnosis of a popliteal cystic mass. In the T2-weighted image, the intramuscular ganglion shows an isodense signal intensity with the skeletal muscle or in some cases, a fibrous capsule with a low signal intensity at the peripheral margin. A Baker's cyst is a low-signal-intensity lesion on T1-weighted images and a high-signal-intensity lesion on T2-weighted images. The most important feature of a meniscal cyst in MRI is a cystic mass associated with a meniscal tear [[4]]. In our case, MRI might have been helpful for diagnosis, if it had been performed preoperatively.

There are many crucial structures in the popliteal fossa, namely popliteal artery and vein, tibial nerve, and medial and lateral sural nerves. A Baker's cyst in this area can cause lower leg pain, paresthesia, and muscle weakness by the compression of the tibial nerve [[5]]. The authors were careful not to damage the lateral and medial sural nerves while dissecting the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle. Surgeons should have a precise plan to explore and dissect the popliteal fossa and to not damage vital structures; further, they should explain the possibility of a nerve injury to patients, preoperatively.

A case of an intramuscular ganglionic cyst has been rarely reported. Moreover, this cyst is easily mistaken for a Baker's cyst or a meniscal cyst in the popliteal fossa. Surgeons should be aware of the differential diagnosis among cystic masses for definite treatments. The details of the differential diagnosis are provided in [Table 1]. Preoperative imaging studies can be helpful, particularly MRI. Here, we have reported a rare case of an intramuscular ganglionic cyst and the distinction among the popliteal cystic masses in order to help with their diagnosis and treatment.

Publication History

Received: 17 December 2014

Accepted: 27 February 2015

Article published online:
05 May 2022

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