A Family Doctor's Tale - GANGLION

DOC I HAVE A GANGLION

GANGLION or ganglion cyst is a cyst found next to tendon sheath or joint.

It may occur at any part of the body but is most common on the dorsum of the hand or foot.

The cause of the ganglion is unknown but the cyst contains a mucinous material like from a tendon sheath or joint.

It has a stalk that can be traced to a tendon sheath or joint.

Ganglion cysts are seen in children but frequently disappear spontaneously in this age group in 2 to 3 years.

Symptoms of the ganglion cyst:
1.The onset is usually related to a history of trauma.

2.local pain and swelling at the dorsum of affected hand or foot

3..feeling of weakness of the affected hand or foot

4.swelling usually increase in size in relation to activity of patient.

Physical examination of the ganglion cyst:
1.hard swelling on the dorsum of hand or foot often described as a small bony swelling

2.the ganglion is freely movable on the affected hand or foot

3.the ganglion is most obvious when the hand or foot is flexed.

Treatment of the ganglion cyst:
1.Aspiration of the ganglion cyst under local anesthesia.

2.Punctuate the ganglion with a large sterile needle in many areas in the hope that the mucinous fluid may be forced out through the many needle holes

3.injection of the ganglion cyst can be done with a steroid compound

4.After the above procedures, a compression dressing is applied for 48 to 72 hours.

5.Some alternative medical advocates even suggest hitting the ganglion cyst with a wooden hammer to burst the cyst and allow the fluid to flow out under the skin.

Surgery:
1.Surgery is done only as a last resort or if symptoms persist.
Excision of the ganglion is done under local anesthesia however occasional damage to the nerve or tendon may complicate the surgery.

Prognosis:
generally good but recurrence are not uncommon.