Skip to main content
Log in

Pretibial ganglion-like cyst formation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a consequence of the incomplete bony integration of the graft?

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

We report a case of subcutaneous pretibial ganglion, with direct communication to the tibial tunnel after an autologous reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament with hamstring tendons. The tibial graft fixation was with a 9 mm poly-L-lactide interference screw 5 years earlier. The screw had undergone complete resorption at the time the cyst occurred. No joint inflammatory reaction or graft insufficiency was detected. The patient underwent cyst excision and curettage of the tibial tunnel with full recovery. This complication seems to be the consequence of a direct communication between the joint and the pretibial subcutaneous tissue through a fibrous tibial tunnel and would have occurred, as there is no full osteointegration of the graft due to the resorption of the bioabsorbable interference screw.

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.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Martinek V, Friederich NF (1999) Tibial and pretibial cyst formation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with bioabsorbable interference screw fixation. Arthroscopy 15(3):317–320

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Malhan K, Kumar A, Rees D (2002) Tibial cyst formation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using a new absorbable screw. Knee 9(1):73–75

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Clatworthy MG, Annear P, Bulow JU, Bartlett RJ (1999) Tunnel widening in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective evaluation of hamstring and patella tendon grafts. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 7:138–145

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Bach FD, Carlier RY, Elis JB, Mompoint DM, Feydy A, Judet O, Beaufils P, Vallee C (2002) Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with bioabsorbable polyglycolic acid interference screws: MR imaging follow-up. Radiology 225(2):541–550

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Lajtai G, Noszian I, Humer K, Unger F, Aitzetmuller G, Orthner E (1999) Serial magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of operative site after fixation of patellar tendon graft with bioabsorbable interference screws in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Arthroscopy 15:709–718

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Sanders TG, Tall MA, Mulloy JP, Leis HT (2002) Fluid collections in the osseous tunnel during the first year after anterior cruciate ligament repair using an autologous hamstring graft: natural history and clinical correlation. J Comput Assist Tomogr 26(4):617–621

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Victoroff BN, Paulos L, Beck C, Goodfellow DB (1995) Subcutaneous pretibial cyst formation associated with anterior cruciate ligament allografts: a report of four cases and literature review. Arthroscopy 11(4):486–494

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Simonian PT, Wickiewicz TL, O’Brien SJ, Dines JS, Schatz JA, Warren RF (1998) Pretibial cyst formation after anterior cruciate ligament surgery with soft tissue autografts. Arthroscopy 14(2):215–220

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Deie M, Sumen Y, Ochi M, Murakami Y, Fujimoto E, Ikuta Y (2000) Pretibial cyst formation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using auto hamstring grafts: two case reports in a prospective study of 89 cases. Magn Reson Imaging 18(8):973–977

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Macarani L, Murrone M, Marini S, Mocci A, Ettore GC (2004) MRI in ACL reconstructive surgery with PDLLA bioabsorbable interference screws: evaluation of degradation and osteointegration processes of bioabsorbable screws. Radiol Med (Torino) 107:47–57

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mathieu Thaunat.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Thaunat, M., Chambat, P. Pretibial ganglion-like cyst formation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a consequence of the incomplete bony integration of the graft?. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 15, 522–524 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-006-0218-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-006-0218-3

Keywords

Navigation