When viewing this topic in a different language, you may notice some differences in the way the content is structured, but it still reflects the latest evidence-based guidance.

Ganglion cyst

Last reviewed: 18 Aug 2025
Last updated: 16 Aug 2024

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • subcutaneous wrist mass
  • wrist pain
  • nontender mass
  • increased mass size after activity
  • transilluminating mass
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • unable to recall onset of lump
  • hand or finger coolness
  • paresthesia or weakness of fingers
  • reduced sensation in the hand
Full details

Risk factors

  • female sex
  • age 10 to 30 years
  • trauma
  • scapholunate instability
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • no initial test
Full details

Tests to consider

  • cyst aspiration
  • erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  • C-reactive protein
  • complete blood count
  • wrist x-ray
  • ultrasound
  • magnetic resonance imaging
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

without neurovascular compromise

with neurovascular compromise

Contributors

Authors

Philip Blazar, MD

Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery

Harvard Medical School

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Boston

MA

Declarações

PB declares that he has no competing interests.

Agradecimentos

Dr Philip Blazar would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Marco Rizzo and Dr Kristofer S. Matullo, previous contributors to this topic.

Declarações

MR and KSM declare that they have no competing interests.

Revisores

George Chloros, MD

Fellow

Department of Orthopedic Surgery

Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center

Winston-Salem

NC

Declarações

GC declares that he has no competing interests.

Lorenz Buchler, MD

Senior Physician

Clinic for Orthopedic Surgery

University Hospital Bern

Bern

Switzerland

Declarações

LB declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewer acknowledgements

BMJ Best Practice topics are updated on a rolling basis in line with developments in evidence and guidance. The peer reviewers listed here have reviewed the content at least once during the history of the topic.

Disclosures

Peer reviewer affiliations and disclosures pertain to the time of the review.

Referências

Nossas equipes internas de editoria e de evidências trabalham em conjunto com colaboradores internacionais especializados e pares revisores para garantir que forneçamos acesso às informações o mais clinicamente relevantes possível.

Principais artigos

American College of Radiology. ACR appropriateness criteria: soft tissue masses. 2022 [internet publication].Texto completo

American College of Radiology. ACR appropriateness criteria: chronic hand and wrist pain. 2023 [internet publication].Texto completo

Lee I. Clinical treatments for wrist ganglia. ASERNIP-S Report No. 63. Adelaide, South Australia: ASERNIP-S, October 2008 [internet publication].Texto completo

Artigos de referência

Uma lista completa das fontes referenciadas neste tópico está disponível para os usuários com acesso total ao BMJ Best Practice.
  • Ganglion cyst images
  • Diagnósticos diferenciais

    • Carpal tunnel syndrome
    • Lipoma
    • Giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath
    Mais Diagnósticos diferenciais
  • Diretrizes

    • ACR appropriateness criteria: chronic hand and wrist pain
    • ACR appropriateness criteria: soft tissue masses
    Mais Diretrizes
  • Folhetos informativos para os pacientes

    Carpal tunnel syndrome

    Mais Folhetos informativos para os pacientes
  • padlock-lockedConectar-se ou assinar para acessar todo o BMJ Best Practice

O uso deste conteúdo está sujeito ao nosso aviso legal