Communicating semimembranoso-gastrocnemial Bursa

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Anatomy

Background:

• Baker's cyst (popliteal cyst) is a clinical diagnosis of a palpable popliteal mass.
• The semimembranoso-gastrocnemial bursa (s.g. bursa) is a structure that may communicate with the knee joint.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and significance of the communicating semimembranoso-gastrocnemial bursa in knee joints.
• To determine the relationship between the communicating s.g. bursa, knee pathology, and knee effusion.
• To assess the risk of synovial or bursal rupture associated with knee arthrography.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study analyzing lateral knee radiographs from 300 consecutive arthrograms.
• Radiographs were taken before and after knee flexion exercises.
• Definitions were established for Baker's cyst and communicating s.g. bursa.

Main Results:

• A communicating s.g. bursa was more frequently observed in knees with pathology.
• The presence of a communicating s.g. bursa was not associated with knee effusion.
• Bursal or synovial rupture showed no correlation with knee pathology.
• Knee arthrography did not cause synovial rupture and rarely caused bursal rupture.

Conclusions:

• The communicating semimembranoso-gastrocnemial bursa is common in knee pathology but lacks clinical or therapeutic significance.
• Knee arthrography is a safe procedure with minimal risk of bursal or synovial rupture.