J Korean Soc Surg Hand.  2017 Jun;22(2):132-136. 10.12790/jkssh.2017.22.2.132.

Radial Nerve Compression Caused by a Ganglion Cyst at the Elbow

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Plastic Surgery, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Korea. joony@catholic.ac.kr

Abstract

Although ganglion cyst is a relatively common benign mass in soft tissues, there have been very few reports of intramuscular ganglion cyst. We encountered such a case located in the antecubital fossa originating from the supinator muscle. A 61-year-old woman presented with a painless mass in the antecubital fossa. However, the patient complained of a significant sensory deficit in the radial side of the thumb, index, and middle finger. She also had extensor weakness at the metacarpophalangeal joint. The mass was excised completely, with no post-surgical complications. Pathologic results revealed the ganglion cyst. The patient showed improvements in sensory dysfunction and extensor weakness. Intramuscular ganglion cyst can be misdiagnosed. This report might be useful for making an accurate diagnosis and rapidly initiating treatment for an intramuscular mass.

Keyword

Elbow joint; Radial nerve; Ganglion cysts

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Elbow Joint
Elbow*
Female
Fingers
Ganglion Cysts*
Humans
Metacarpophalangeal Joint
Middle Aged
Radial Nerve*
Thumb

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Preoperative gross clinical photo. The mass is palpable to about 2×2 cm2 sized firmly in the antecubital fossa.

  • Fig. 2 Preoperative computed tomography shows a lobulated cystic lesion (arrows) arising from a voloradial aspect of the proximal radius. (A) Axial view. (B) Sagittal view.

  • Fig. 3 Intraoperative gross clinical photo. (A) A mass was located where the radial nerve is a bifurcation to the deep branch and superficial branch. (B) Well-preserved nerve was visible after removing the mass.

  • Fig. 4 Intraoperative gross clinical photo of the excised mass.

  • Fig. 5 Pathologic finding shows a lack of a cyst lining and a muscular tissue on the tissue surface consistent with intramuscular ganglion cyst. Hematoxylin and eosin stain, examined at magnification of ×100 (A), ×200 (B), and ×400 (C).


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