Consultant – Gavin Brigstocke

What are Ganglion Cysts?
A ganglion cyst is caused by synovial fluid that has leaked from a joint. It is the most common type of swelling seen in the hand and wrist. The common locations include the terminal joint of the finger (mucous cyst), the back of the wrist (dorsal wrist ganglion), the base of the thumb (volar wrist ganglion) and the base of the finger from the tendon sheath (pearl seed ganglion). Ganglion cysts often arise spontaneously but may occur following injury or because the joint is starting to develop arthritis.

What treatments are available?
Ganglion cysts are harmless and can be safely left alone. Many will disappear spontaneously, and others will cause no trouble. For cysts that are troublesome, persistent or recurrent they may be drained with a needle under local anaesthetic or surgically excised.

What are the outcomes?
The success of either simple aspiration or surgical excision is dependent upon the cyst location. Unfortunately both of these procedures are associated with a reasonable chance of recurrence. Surgery at the wrist can result in loss of movement and painful trapping of nerve branches in the scar tissue.

Further information:
https://www.bssh.ac.uk/patients/conditions/20/ganglion_cysts