Demonstration of articular effusions and popliteal cysts with ultrasound

Echography has been employed in 10 patients with knee effusions and in two patients with Baker's cysts. In all instances, echography clearly identified the effusions. In four patients, the presence of connective tissue septa were also shown. This technique appears to be preferred to arthrography or the intra-articular injection of isotopes. Nevertheless, echography provides only "morphologic" information which complements other methods of investigation.