Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 23, 2025
Author Spotlight: Double Posteromedial Approach for Treating Posterior Cruciate Ligament Cysts
Published on: October 20, 2023
A Rare Case of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis following a Ruptured Baker's Cyst in a Toddler
Deniz Üstüner1, Fatma Asaid1, Muhammad Pervaiz1
1Department of Paediatrics, Dr Gray's Hospital, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK.
Insights
Ruptured Baker's cyst in a child is rare, often presenting as calf pain. This case highlights its link to juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and uveitis, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Baker's cysts are common incidental findings in adults with joint issues.
- Ruptured Baker's cysts preceding juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) diagnosis are exceptionally rare in children.
Observation:
- A 4-year-old girl presented with acute calf pain and swelling without trauma.
- MRI revealed a ruptured Baker's cyst with extensive knee joint inflammation, effusions, and surrounding soft tissue edema.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
- Bilateral uveitis was identified, a known association with JIA.
- The ruptured cyst was secondary to underlying inflammatory arthropathy.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering JIA in pediatric patients presenting with ruptured Baker's cysts and calf symptoms.
- Early diagnosis and management of JIA can prevent long-term joint damage and complications like uveitis.
- Imaging findings of ruptured cysts in children warrant comprehensive evaluation for systemic inflammatory conditions.
Abstract:
A Baker's cyst is usually an incidental finding in adults being investigated for a joint arthropathy, and its rupture preceding the diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is rare in children. Here, we describe a case of a 4-year-old girl who presented to the Emergency Department with right calf pain, swelling, and no preceding history of trauma. MRI confirmed a ruptured Baker's cyst with inflammatory arthropathy alongside an extensive synovial proliferation throughout the knee joint with large joint effusions and associated soft tissue oedema tracking superiorly and inferiorly along the medial head of gastrocnemius and anteriorly along the tibia. Further investigations revealed bilateral uveitis consistent with a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
