MRI Characteristics of Cysts and "cyst-like" Lesions in and Around the Knee: What the Radiologist Needs to Know

Overview

Journal Insights Imaging

Publisher Springer

Specialty Radiology

Date 2013 Mar 13

PMID 23479129

Citations 18

Authors

Evangelos Perdikakis

Vasilios Skiadas

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives And Methods: A variety of benign cystic or "cyst-like" lesions may be encountered during a routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee. These lesions comprise a diverse group of entities from benign cysts to complications of underlying diseases. In addition, normal anatomic bursae and recesses may be misdiagnosed as an intra-articular cystic lesion when they are distended. However, the majority of the aforementioned lesions have characteristic MR appearances that allow a confident diagnosis, thus obviating the need for additional imaging or interventional procedures.

Results: This article includes a comprehensive pictorial essay of the characteristic MRI features of common and uncommon benign cysts and "cyst-like" lesions in and around the knee joint.

Discussion: For accurate assessment of the "cystic structure", a radiologist should be able to identify typical MRI patterns that contribute in establishing the correct diagnosis and thus guiding specific therapy and avoiding unwarranted interventional procedures such as biopsy or arthroscopy.

Teaching Points: • Cystic lesions are common in knee MRI and the commonest, the Baker's cyst, has an incidence of 38 %. • Synovial cysts, meniscal cysts, normal knee bursae and recesses have characteristic MR appearances. • Miscellaneous "cyst-like" lesions may require a more dedicated MR protocol for a correct diagnosis.

Citing Articles

A Baker's Cyst With Distal Extramuscular Extension: A Case Report.

Anies E, Waltz R, Lacey S Cureus. 2025; 17(1):e77502.

PMID: 39958012 PMC: 11828661. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.77502.

A case of ruptured infrapatellar bursa sac with Baker's cyst.

Fiagbedzi E, Arkorful J, Brobbey I, Appiah E, Nyarko S, Otumi N Radiol Case Rep. 2024; 20(1):700-704.

PMID: 39583233 PMC: 11584991. DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.10.058.

Neglected, Perineural, Chronic, Extra-articular, Lateral, Gangliomatous Synovial Knee Cyst With Peroneal Neuropathy: A Case Report.

Tomar L, Govil G Cureus. 2024; 16(10):e71490.

PMID: 39544613 PMC: 11560863. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.71490.

Interosseous ganglion cyst of the ribs with unusual presentation of hemoptysis.

Hajjar W, Hajjar S, Alnassar S, Hajjar A Ann Thorac Med. 2024; 19(3):236-239.

PMID: 39144530 PMC: 11321530. DOI: 10.4103/atm.atm_297_23.

Evaluation of the relationship between Knee Osteoarthritis and Meniscus Pathologies.

Atik I, Gul E, Atik S Malawi Med J. 2024; 36(1):48-52.

PMID: 39086369 PMC: 11287814. DOI: 10.4314/mmj.v36i1.8.

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