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Popliteal cyst
From WikEM
Contents
Background
- Also known as "Baker's" cyst
- Develops posteriorly and inferiorly to the knee as herniation of the synovial membrane of the knee capsule
- The cyst communicates with the knee joint and is the leading cause of posterior knee pain
Clinical Features
- Pain/swelling of posterior knee
Differential Diagnosis
Knee diagnoses
Acute Injury
- Knee fractures
- Patella fracture
- Tibial plateau fracture
- Knee dislocation
- Patella dislocation
- Segond fracture
- Meniscus and ligament knee injuries
- Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper's knee)
- Patellar tendon rupture
- Quadriceps tendon rupture
Nontraumatic/Subacute
- Septic Joint
- Gout
- Popliteal cyst (Baker's)
- Prepatellar bursitis (nonseptic)
- Septic bursitis
- Pes anserine bursitis
- Patellofemoral syndrome (Runner's Knee)
- Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper's knee)
- Osgood-Schlatter disease
- Arthritis
Calf pain
- DVT
- Compartment syndrome
- Gastrocnemius strain
- Calcaneal bursitis
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Cellulitis
- Superficial thrombophlebitis
- Ruptured Popliteal cyst (Baker's)
Management
- Ultrasound is study of choice
- Treatment is conservative; excision may be required in some cases
