Author/Editor		Mavčič, Blaž
Title		Poplitealna cista
Translated title		Popliteal cysts
Type		članek
Source		Med Razgl
Vol. and No.		Letnik 47, št. 3
Publication year		2008
Volume		str. 245-50
Language		slo
Abstract		The popliteal cyst (Baker's cyst, gastrocnemio-semimembranosus bursa) is the most common etiology of a soft-tissue mass in the popliteal fossa. The cyst is lined with a synovial membrane and linked to the knee joint through a small slit-like opening at the posteromedial joint capsule in the joint space level. The popliteal cyst may serve as a protective mechanism for the knee from the chronic joint effusion. The frequency of popliteal cysts is statistically associated with joint effusion, inflammatory arthritis, ruptured meniscus and the degenerative joint disease of the knee. The popliteal cyst is clinically visible as an elastic intumescence. It can diminish in size after a longer rest and increase again upon walking/standing. The diferential diagnosis includes deep venous thrombosis, popliteal artery aneurism, cystic degeneration of arterial adventitia, seroma, haemathoma, abscess and soft-tissue tumors. The diagnosis can be confirmed by an ultrasound, a color-doppler ultrasound or by magnetic resonance imaging. Most patients with a popliteal cyst require conservative measures to diminish the joint effusion. Reduction of the cyst size can be achieved by arthroscopic repair of the primary intraarticular cause of the chronic knee joint effusion or by direct dilatation of the communication slit between the cyst and the joint. Indications for the open surgical cyst removal are rare and can be considered in cases with associated complications. All operative techniques for popliteal cyst removal or size reduction have very high recidivant rates.
Descriptors		POPLITEAL CYST DIAGNOSIS, DIFFERENTIAL