A new sclerotherapy technique for the wrist ganglion: transcutaneous electrocauterization

Ganglion, a cystic benign mass, most common soft tissue tumor of the hand, usually occurs in hand, wrist, and foot. In this study, we discuss a new sclerotherapy technique through which 17 patients with wrist ganglion were treated by using short bursts of high-frequency low voltage electrodessication delivered through a fine electrode that was inserted into the sac. Their ages varied from 28 to 52 with an average of 32.7 years. Two patients had volar wrist and 15 others had dorsal ganglia. In all patients, an ultrasound imaging was done for the discrimination of the other hand tumors. Under aseptic conditions, first ganglion was aspirated by using a large needle, which was commonly used for peripheric venous catheterization, and 0.5 mL of 1% xylocaine was injected into the cystic cavity, then electrocauterization was done. In the postoperative follow-up ranging from 6 to 29 months, 1 recurrence developed 3 months after the intervention, requiring the same procedure to overcome it. No complication occurred and all complaints of the patients resolved with this approach. The present technique is simple, safe, effective, and inexpensive for ganglion sclerotherapy, resulting in hopeful outcomes to become as an acceptable alternative to the open surgery.