MR imaging of Baker cysts: association with internal derangement, effusion, and degenerative arthropathy.

Abstract

The association between Baker cyst and joint effusion was confirmed. A relationship with meniscal tear and degenerative joint disease independent of effusion was also demonstrated. The probability of having a Baker cyst increases as the number of these associated conditions increases.

Frequency of Baker’s Cysts in Cases of Meniscal Injury

“…The prevalence of popliteal cysts increases with age, possibly due to degenerative thinning of the joint capsule [5]. The reported incidence of popliteal cysts on MR imaging is 4.7-19% in patients referred for internal derangement [2,3].…”

“…The most important clinical differential diagnosis is thrombophlebitis, pseudophlebitis, compressing the popliteal vein hemorrhage or a calf hematoma with secondary compartment syndrome [19,20] Other complications include direct compression of the popliteal artery with resultant ischemia, compression of adjacent nerves leading to entrapment symptoms, mechanical pressure symptoms, infection and hemorrhage [3,19,20] (Fig. 3) (Fig.…”

“…[22] Indications for Baker's cyst excision include cases in which the popliteal cyst does not respond to conservative treatment or arthroscopic intervention or cases in which an underlying cause cannot be found [23]. Surgical excision is indicated primarily if the knee disorder is incurable and the cyst responsible for substantial local symptoms despite surgical closure is associated with a high recurrence rate [19,20]. …”

“…The appearance of Popliteal or Baker's cyst is due to fluid distention of a bursa between the gastrocnemius and semimembranosus tendons [4]. Frequency of Baker's cysts identified by MRI ranges from 10% to 41% [5]. Baker's cysts may be seen with many joint abnormalities, such as internal derangement, osteoarthrosis, or inflammatory arthritis; the most common associations include joint effusion, meniscal tear, and degenerative joint disease [4].…”

Bakers Cyst: A Case Report and its clinical significance

“…It is commonly presented in clinics by patients above 50 years with complaint of knee pathology especially those affecting the dynamics of synovial fluid such as arthritis, meniscal tear and rarely gout [2] [5]. MRI study for patients referred with knee pathologies revealed Baker's cyst in about 19 % of the cases [6]. Ultrasonographic studies done for knee and venous pathologies gave lesser prevalence (around 4%) of the condition [7].…”