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Published on: October 20, 2023
Proximal tibiofibular joint synovial cyst--one pathology with three different presentations
S M Javad Mortazavi1, Mahmood Farzan, Saeed Asadollahi
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Imam Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. mortazsm@sina.tums.ac.ir
Synovial cysts in the proximal tibiofibular joint are rare but mimic knee issues, posing diagnostic challenges. Surgical treatment offers good outcomes, though recurrence is possible.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Radiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Synovial cysts originating from the proximal tibiofibular joint are infrequently encountered but can present with symptoms similar to more common knee pathologies.
- Clinical diagnosis can be challenging due to the varied presentations and rarity of these cysts.
Observation:
- Three cases of proximal tibiofibular joint synovial cysts are presented.
- Case 1: Asymptomatic lump distal to the lateral knee joint line.
- Case 2: Fluctuating mass with intermittent symptoms.
- Case 3: Large proximal anterior leg mass causing drop foot.
Findings:
- Surgical intervention was performed for all patients.
- Successful treatment without recurrence was achieved in cases 1 and 3.
- Complete recovery of the peroneal nerve function was observed in case 3.
- Recurrence of the synovial cyst occurred in case 2, with the patient declining further surgery.
Implications:
- This case series highlights the diagnostic difficulties and varied clinical manifestations of proximal tibiofibular joint synovial cysts.
- Surgical management appears effective, with good prognosis for nerve recovery in compressive cases.
- Understanding the clinical presentation and age distribution is crucial for accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.
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