Intra-articular ganglia arising from the posterior joint capsule of the knee.

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an effective method to evaluate cystic lesions of the knee. Intra-articular ganglia of the knee joint was considered to be rare before the advent of MRI. However, because an MRI is often used to diagnose knee pathology, the reported prevalence of intra-articular ganglia has increased. We describe two cases of an intra-articular ganglion arising from the posterior joint capsule. Both cysts appeared to be arising from the posterior cruciate ligament by both MRI as well as arthroscopy through a lateral infrapatellar portal. However, arthroscopy through a posteromedial portal revealed the cysts to originate from the posterior joint capsule. It suggests that some of the ganglion arising from the posterior cruciate ligament reported in the literature might actually be from the posterior joint capsule. To prevent recurrence of a ganglion cyst, when preoperative MRI shows the mass to be located posterior to the cruciate ligaments, we recommend that the relationship of the ganglion cyst to the posterior joint capsule be evaluated at arthroscopy through the posteromedial or posterolateral portal.