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Popliteal cysts in children: prevalence, appearance and associated findings at MR imaging
M De Maeseneer1, C Debaere, B Desprechins
1Department of Radiology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laerbeeklaan 101, B-1090 Jette, Belgium.
Insights
Baker's cysts are less common in children than adults and rarely linked to joint fluid or common knee injuries like ACL tears or meniscal tears in pediatric orthopaedic patients.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Pediatric Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Baker's cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop at the back of the knee.
- Their prevalence and association with other knee pathologies in pediatric populations are not well-established.
- Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging is a key diagnostic tool for evaluating knee abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Baker's cysts in children undergoing knee MR imaging.
- To investigate the association between Baker's cysts and joint effusion or other knee disorders in pediatric patients.
- To compare the MR imaging characteristics of pediatric Baker's cysts with those reported in adults.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 393 knee MR reports from patients aged 1-17 years.
- Analysis included assessment for Baker's cysts, joint effusion, meniscal tears, ACL tears, and other joint disorders.
- Clinical charts were also reviewed for patients diagnosed with Baker's cysts.
Main Results:
- Baker's cysts were identified in 6.3% of pediatric patients.
- No associated ACL tears or meniscal tears were found in patients with Baker's cysts.
- Joint fluid was present in 16% of cases, with no statistically significant association with Baker's cysts.
Conclusions:
- Baker's cysts are less prevalent in pediatric orthopaedic patients compared to adults.
- In children, Baker's cysts show infrequent association with joint fluid, meniscal tears, or ACL tears.
- MR imaging did not demonstrate joint communication or cyst leakage in pediatric cases.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Baker's cysts on MR images in a paediatric orthopaedic population, to investigate the association of Baker's cyst with joint fluid and joint disorders in children, and to compare the MR appearance of Baker's cysts in children with that previously reported in adults.
Materials And Methods:
Reports from 393 MR studies of the knee performed in children aged from 1 to 17 years were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of a Baker's cyst, joint effusion, meniscal tear, anterior cruciate ligament tear, or any other joint disorder.
Results:
A Baker's cyst was identified in 6.3 % (25/393) of patients. The MR images and clinical charts of patients with a Baker's cyst were reviewed. None of the 25 patients with a Baker's cyst had an associated anterior cruciate ligament tear or meniscal tear. Two patients had osteochondritis dissecans and two others had synovial disease (infection and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis). Joint fluid was demonstrated in 16 % (4/25) of patients with a Baker's cyst. There was no statistically significant association between presence of a Baker's cyst and presence of joint fluid.
Conclusions:
Baker's cyst is less prevalent in a paediatric orthopaedic population than in an adult population. In children, it seems that Baker's cyst is seldom associated with joint fluid, meniscal tear, or anterior cruciate ligament tear. On MR images, a communication between the Baker's cyst and the joint was not demonstrated in any of the patients. In addition, the presence of debris and cyst leakage was not observed.