Cystic Adventitial Disease of the Tibial Vein Arising From the Subtalar Joint: A Case Report.

Abstract

Soft tissue ganglion cysts are a well-known cause of tibial nerve compression in the tarsal tunnel. We describe a patient who presented with tibial nerve symptoms and was found to have an adventitial cyst of the tibial vein arising from the subtalar joint, with the joint connection confirmed both on imaging and at surgery. Surgical decompression of the cyst with transection of the vascular pedicle arising from the subtalar joint improved her symptoms at 6 months, and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed resolution of the cyst. Cystic adventitial disease is a rare, poorly understood condition in which a cyst is identified in the adventitia of a vessel, usually an artery. Only 3 cases of adventitial cysts have been reported in the foot and ankle region, 2 in the lesser and 1 in the greater saphenous vein. None of the previous cases have been recognized to be joint connected. This case provides additional evidence for an articular origin for adventitial cysts and helps guide management strategies for these joint-connected cysts.