Synovial cyst of the acromioclavicular joint with and without rotator cuff tear: A case series of two patients

Abstract

Highlights The most common acromioclavicular joint cyst (AJC) is associated to a rotator cuff tear (type 2). MRI provides a correct diagnosis, even of the type of AJC. Type 1 AJC should be surgically treated by excision and resection of the lateral clavicle. Type 2 AJC could be surgically treated by reverse total shoulder replacement.

Acromioclavicular Joint Cyst Treated with Excision and Anterolateral Thigh Flap Reconstruction

“…For the treatment of type-2 ACJ cysts, several operative maneuvers have been advocated that help to terminate the communication between the ACJ and GHJ, such as arthroplasty and even direct closure of the channel with purse-string sutures. 1 , 2 In our case, the “geyser sign” was not confirmed on the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, and fluid leakage into the ACJ was not identified intraoperatively. Thus, we only performed a tight and firm closure of the ACJ capsule.…”

“… 1 Surgical excision can resolve patients’ symptoms, but cyst excision as monotherapy is also associated with recurrence. 2 Therefore, various surgical techniques to prevent recurrence have been explored, but a general consensus regarding surgical methods is lacking, as they have shown varied recurrence rates in the literature. 3 – 6 The present report describes a case of recurrent ACJ cyst successfully treated with surgical resection and anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap reconstruction.…”

Aspiration of a Large Acromioclavicular Joint Cyst Complicated by Recurrence and Enlargement: A Case Report

“…ACJ cysts can be treated conservatively or surgically [2]. There are a variety of proposed surgical treatments, such as cyst and distal clavicle excision [2,[4][5][6][7], rotator cuff repair [8], and arthroplasty [3]. Conservative management includes needle aspiration [1,3,5,9], corticosteroid injections [6,10,11], or "watchful waiting" [12][13][14].…”

“…There are a variety of proposed surgical treatments, such as cyst and distal clavicle excision [2,[4][5][6][7], rotator cuff repair [8], and arthroplasty [3]. Conservative management includes needle aspiration [1,3,5,9], corticosteroid injections [6,10,11], or "watchful waiting" [12][13][14]. There is, to date, no established consensus on the ideal treatment of the ACJ cyst, although limited data suggest a lower recurrence rate with a surgical approach [2,5,6,15].…”

Unusual-massive acromioclavicular joint cyst associated with complete reabsorption of the humeral head and outcomes of long-standing surgical stabilization for recurrent dislocations: a case report

“…Acromioclavicular joint cysts (AJC) are a rare finding associated with acromioclavicular (AC) joint arthritis or rotator cuff tear arthropathy originally described by Craig in 1984; the incidence is higher in males and elderly patients. AJC are classified in two types: AJC type 1 are very rare and are caused by an advanced degenerative arthritic process of the AC joint alone, without a rotator cuff tear; AJC Type 2 cysts are associated with a massive rotator cuff tear 1 . Clinical examination can be diagnostic, although further imaging investigation such as ultrasound, radiography, and MRI or CT are key tools to understand the etiology and to provide the best treatment in order to prevent recurrence 2 .…”