Skip to main content
Log in

Popliteal cysts: a reassessment using magnetic resonance imaging

  • Articles
  • Published:
Skeletal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prompted the reevaluation of the incidence of popliteal cyst and its associated injuries. We reviewed more than 1000 consecutive MRI examinations of the knee performed on patients referred for evaluation of internal derangement. We report a 5% incidence of popliteal cyst, which is lower than has previously been determined. We believe that the reported higher incidence was due to arthrographic distention of normal, collapsed bursae. The strong association between popliteal cyst and tear of the medial meniscus is confirmed. We report for the first time to our knowledge the 13% association between popliteal cyst and complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bierbaum BE (1968) Double contrast knee arthrography. A safe and reliable aid to diagnosis of “internal derangement.” J Trauma 8:165

    Google Scholar 

  2. Butt WP, Mcintyre JL (1969) Double contrast arthrography of the knee. Radiology 92:487

    Google Scholar 

  3. Hartzman S, Reicher MA, Bassett LW, Duckwiler GR, Mandelbaum B, Gold RH (1987) MR imaging of the knee. Part II. Chronic disorders. Radiology 162:553

    Google Scholar 

  4. Herman G, Yeh HC, Lehr-Janus C, Berson BL (1981) Diagnosis of popliteal cyst: double contrast arthrography and sonography. AJR 137:369

    Google Scholar 

  5. Lee KR, Tines SC, Price HI, De Smet AA, Neff JR (1983) The computed tomographic findings of popliteal cysts. Skeletal Radiol 10:26

    Google Scholar 

  6. Lindgren PG, Willen R (1977) Gastrocnemio-semimembranosus bursa and its relation to the knee joint. Acta Radiol [Diagn] 18:497

    Google Scholar 

  7. Nicholas JA, Freidberger RH, Killoran PJ, Paul J (1970) Double-contrast arthrography of the knee. Its value in the management of two hundred and twenty-five knee derangements. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 52:203

    Google Scholar 

  8. Reicher MA (1987) Spectrum of knee joint disorders. In: Mink JH, Reicher MA, Crues JV III (eds) Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee. Raven Press, New York, p 123

    Google Scholar 

  9. Reicher MA, Hartzman S, Bassett LW, Mandelbaum B, Duckwiler GR, Gold RH (1987) MR imaging of the knee. Part I. Traumatic disorders. Radiology 162:547

    Google Scholar 

  10. Richardson ML, Selby B, Montana M, Mack L (1988) Ultrasonography of the knee. Radiol Clin North Am 26:63

    Google Scholar 

  11. Schwimmer M, Edelstein G, Heiken JP, Gilula LA (1985) Synovial cysts of the knee: CT evaluation. Radiology 154:175

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Sundaram M, McGuire MH, Fletcher J, Wolverson M, Heiberg E, Shields JB (1986) Magnetic resonance imaging of lesions of synovial origin. Skeletal Radiol 15:110

    Google Scholar 

  13. Taylor AR (1969) Arthrography of the knee in rheumatoid arthritis. Br J Radiol 42:492

    Google Scholar 

  14. Wolfe RD, Colloff B (1972) Popliteal cysts. An arthrographic study and review of the literature. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 54:1057

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fielding, J.R., Franklin, P.D. & Kustan, J. Popliteal cysts: a reassessment using magnetic resonance imaging. Skeletal Radiol. 20, 433–435 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00191086

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00191086

Key words

Navigation