Osseous Remodeling Secondary to a Chronic Intermetatarsal Ganglion Cyst: A Case Report

Bone is a dynamic tissue constantly adapting to meet the demands of the body. There is extensive evidence of primary bone tumors causing remodeling but rarely does a soft-tissue tumor become encompassed in bone. This reaction is seen through a combination of increased stress and the increased activity of basic multicellular units. As the force placed on bone is increased, there is a response by osteocytes stimulating the breakdown of damaged bone and production of new bone. As the production of new bone is impeded by an obstructing mass, the bone will begin to wrap around the lesion. We present a rare case in which an intermetatarsal ganglion cyst caused reactive osseous remodeling encompassing the lesion in bone. Surgical excision of the cyst showed no evidence of stress fracture and led to complete relief of pain.