Pitfalls in the diagnosis of the simple wrist ganglion

ABSTRACT; A wrist mass, often found to be a ganglion, is a common clinical problem. Any mass is difficult to diagnose by physical examination alone. Reported entities appearing to be wrist ganglions areanomalous extensor muscle bellies, lipomas, neuromas of the posterior interosseous nerve, synovial cysts of rheumatoid arthritis, aneurysm of the radial artery, and others. In addition, the authors are aware of entities not previously reported. This retrospective review of four malignancies and a plexiform neuroma that appeared to be simple wrist masses serves to increase the clinician's awareness of the pitfalls to be avoided in the diagnosis of the wrist mass.