Ganglion Cyst (Bible Cyst)

Ganglion cysts are tumors or swellings on the joints or casing of tendons (tissues connecting muscles to bones). They appear alike fluid-filled sacs (cysts). Within the cysts is present a thick, gluey, translucent, uncoloured, gelatine-similar matter.

Based on the size, a ganglion cyst might feel hard or squishy.

• A big cyst or several smallish ones might arise. Several small-sized cysts could proffer the look of more than a single cyst; however a single stem inside the deep-set tissue generally attaches them. Such form of cyst isn’t disruptive & constitutes around fifty percent of all soft tissue hand tumor cases.
• Ganglion cyst or bible cyst is more prevalent among females & seventy percent develop in individuals in the age group of twenty to forty. Atypically, ganglion cyst would arise in kids under ten years of age.
• Ganglion cyst often develops on the backsides of the hands (sixty to seventy percent), at the joints of the wrists & could even arise on the palm surfaces of the wrists. When uncovered on the backside of the wrists, they turn more apparent while flexing forwards of the wrists are done. Other lesser commonly occurring locations are:
  • Finger bases on the palms and appearing as a smallish pea bump.
  • Fingertips, just beneath the cuticles (mucous cyst).
  • Outer side of the ankles & knees.
  • Top portion of the feet.

Ganglion Cyst causes

The reason for ganglion cyst arising is unknown though a hypothesis indicates that some traumatic episode could lead to joint tissue breaking down and leading to the formation of smallish cysts that then accrue into bigger, apparent mass. Another probable conjecture is a tendon covering or joint capsule anomaly which permits joint tissue in jutting out.

Ganglion Cyst symptoms

• Generally appearing as bumps or masses which change size.
• Generally soft and measuring between one to three centimetres diameter-wise and immovable.
• Swell-up appearing with passage of time or abrupt appearance, might reduce in size & could also subside, solely to resurface on another instant.
• Majority of these cysts trigger some extent of pains, generally after severe or recurring traumatic experience, however around thirty-five percent are asymptomatic, bar for appearance.
• Pains are generally continuous, throbbing & worsening with joint movement.
• When the cysts are attached to tendons, sufferers might feel weak point in the afflicted finger.

When to visit a doctor

Irrespective of whether a person is symptomatic or not, he/she would always be benefiting by getting his/her ganglion cyst evaluated medically. A physician could ascertain whether it actually is a ganglion cyst & assist in deciding on the finest therapy agenda for that person.

Ganglion cysts are not medical emergencies till the time the person has been through a major traumatic incident. Getting routinely checked by physician or expert in bone & joint would suffice.

Diagnosis & Tests

Physical examination is mostly necessary for diagnosis of ganglion cysts.

• Supplementary substantiation by conducting ultrasound scanning or FNA (fine needle aspiration involving the use of plunger to withdraw fluid from cyst).
• These persons might be referred to hand surgeons when the bumps are firm or involving arteries or blood vessels.
• MRI or magnetic resonance imaging for seeing the wrists and immensely beneficial in ganglion diagnosis.

Treatment

Several cyst formations could vanish sans any therapy given. Varied therapies have been put forth like:

• Aspiration – needle placement within the cysts for extracting fluid matter, administering an inflammation-combating steroid constituent & then splint the wrists to make it immobile. Researches have found that seventy-four percent of individuals are ably treated following this method done one time while for those people who undergo this procedure thrice, the likelihood of cure rises to eighty-five percent, especially in case of cysts located on the backside of the hands.
• Surgical excision of the cysts is required when build up is excruciating, interfering with the functioning of the main hand or causing loss of sensation or tingling in finger/hand.