Primary care referral protocol for wrist ganglia

Abstract

The paper summarises current knowledge on ganglia of the wrist including the views of patients and doctors. The efficacy of available treatment options are discussed. Summary points are derived from the available knowledge with a referral protocol from primary care.

Ganglions of the hand and wrist: Retrospective statistical analysis of 520 cases

“…19 The incidence of ganglions is 43 per 100,000 in women and 25 per 100,000 in men and, according to some authors, a further upward trend is observed -55 per 100,000 of the population per year. 3,12,14 The mean age of the patients included in our study was 41.3 ± 16.9 years and the median age was 39.5 years. These numbers were undoubtedly influenced by the fact that mainly adult patients are admitted to our ward and pediatric patients only sporadically.…”

“…14 In clinical practice, ganglions manifest almost solely as solitary (although sometimes multilocular) tumors, and multiple lesions located in one or more areas of the body are rare. 3 Dermon et al removed a total number of 124 wrist ganglions in 119 patients, out of which dorsal wrist Fig. 1.…”

“…22 Ganglions of the hand and wrist constitute the group of tumors most commonly encountered in general practice. 3 Establishing the diagnosis is relatively easy thanks to their certain characteristic features and specific location. 1,3 Paradoxically, our knowledge on the pathomechanisms underlying formation and further growth of ganglions is still very limited.…”

“…3 Establishing the diagnosis is relatively easy thanks to their certain characteristic features and specific location. 1,3 Paradoxically, our knowledge on the pathomechanisms underlying formation and further growth of ganglions is still very limited. At least several theories aimed at explaining ganglion pathophysiology exist but all of them have certain weaknesses.…”

“…[1][2][3] They have a nonneoplastic character and usually manifest as solitary, typically located tumors. 3 Ganglions are found in patients of all ages, with peak incidence in the 2 nd -4 th decade of life. 1,4 A significantly higher incidence in women is typical.…”