Abstract

Background: Ganglion cyst is the most common soft tissue tumour of the hand. 60-70 % are present on dorsal aspect of wrist. They may affect any age group, however they are more common in 20s-40s. Although the pathogenesis is unclear, history of trauma is seen in 10% of cases. These cysts are filled with fluids, and most often, they appear and disappear very quickly and majority of them do not require treatment unless the cyst is painful, alters function of the wrist or deformed appearance

Aims and Objectives: To study the size of ganglion cyst, symptoms at presentation, management done and outcomes.

Materials and Methods: A Retrospective analysis of all the cases of dorsal wrist ganglion presented to  Surgical OPD over a period of 1 year, June 2020 to may 2021 at Maharajah’s Institute of Medical Sciences,, Vizianagaram  and in them dorsal wrist ganglion cases  were studied with respect to the size of the cyst, Symptoms at presentation, management done and outcomes.

Results: Total of 94 cases have been presented to Surgical OPD. Of it 60% cases are of size greater 2cm. Symptoms: 14 cases presented with pain, 6 cases presented with tingling sensation others for cosmetic appearance and apprehension of tumour.

Management: wait & watch(observation) for 36 cases of size less than 1cm; Immobilization (wrist brace or splint) for 8 cases which are arising from wrist joint; Aspiration &steroid injection(triamcelone) for 35 cases; Surgical excision for 15 cases which were recurrences from previous management and painful cases.

Outcome: recurrence is the most common complication. Success by surgical excision was 86% and aspiration &steroid injection was 75%.

Conclusion: Recurrence after management was the most common complication of dorsal wrist ganglions. Surgical excision is the most successful form of treatment followed by aspiration &steroid injection into the ganglion.

Keywords: Dorsal Wrist Ganglion, Excision, Aspiration and Injection.