[Clinical and arthrographic aspects of the popliteal cysts]

Arthrography revealed extended meniscus lesions in 68 of 78 patients with popliteal cysts. In the remaining cases mechanical damage or inflammatory diseases of the knee were responsible for cyst genesis. Popliteal cysts should be removed only after causal diagnosis of the underlying chronic relapsing effusion leading to increased joint pressure and cystic dilatation of the often communication submembranous bursa.