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

Does complete regression of intraneural ganglion cysts occur without surgery?

PURPOSE

The dynamic nature of intraneural ganglion cysts, including spontaneous expansion and regression, has been described. However, whether these cysts can regress completely in the absence of surgical management has important therapeutic implications. Therefore, we aim to review the literature for cyst regression without surgical intervention.

METHODS

We reviewed our database of 970 intraneural ganglion cysts in the literature to search for evidence of complete regression based on strict radiologic confirmation, either spontaneously, or after percutaneous cyst aspiration or steroid injection.

RESULTS

We did not find any examples of complete regression without surgical treatment that met inclusion criteria. Spontaneous regression was reported in four cases; however, only two cases had follow-up imaging, both of which demonstrated residual cysts. Nineteen cases of percutaneous intervention were found in the literature, 13 of which reported clinical improvement following aspiration/steroid injection; however, only seven cases had available imaging. Only two cases reported complete resolution of cyst on MR imaging at follow-up, but reinterpretation found residual intraneural cyst in both cases.

CONCLUSION

We believe that pathology (structural abnormalities and/or increased joint fluid) always exists at the joint origin of intraneural ganglion cysts which persist even with regression of the cyst. The persistence of a capsular abnormality or defect can lead to recurrence of the cyst in the future, and while imaging may show dramatic decreases in cyst size, truly focused assessment of images will show a tiny focus of persistent intraneural cyst at the joint origin. Thus, expectant management or percutaneous intervention may lead to regression, but not complete resolution, of intraneural ganglion cysts.

Adventitial Cystic Disease of the Popliteal Vein, a Rare Cause of Lower Limb Deep Vein Thrombosis

Introduction

Cystic adventitial disease (CAD) is characterised by the accumulation of gelatinous fluid within the adventitial layer of a blood vessel. Over 90% of CAD occurs in the arterial system. Venous CAD most commonly involves the iliofemoral rather than the popliteal segments.

Report

This is the report of a 49 year old female patient with a previous right leg deep vein thrombosis (DVT). She presented to a vascular outpatient appointment with recurrent right lower extremity swelling. Venous duplex ultrasound showed an ectatic and incompetent right popliteal vein. Computed tomography (CT) venography showed focal ectasia of the right popliteal vein resulting from an eccentric low density cyst with a diameter of 15 mm. Under general anaesthesia, the patient was placed in the prone position. A lazy S incision was performed in the right popliteal fossa. The popliteal vein had an eccentrically thickened lateral bulge. After heparinisation, a longitudinal venotomy, endophlebectomy, and en bloc cyst removal were performed sequentially. Popliteal patch venoplasty was performed subsequently using the ipsilateral small saphenous vein. After six months, the patient remains on rivaroxaban. A follow up venous duplex ultrasound showed vein reflux through a standard calibre popliteal vein without evidence of cyst recurrence.

Conclusion

Venous CAD is a rare disease and should be considered if previous DVT or symptoms mimicking DVT occur. Cyst resection and reconstruction with vein patch, venous or synthetic graft is the most commonly used strategy and has lower rates of cyst recurrence and need for re-operation.

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Venous cystic adventitial disease is rare.

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Adventitial vein cysts may cause oedema and vein thrombosis.

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Venous ultrasound is the first diagnostic test.

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Complete cyst wall excision is crucial to prevent recurrence.

Adventitial cystic disease of the common femoral vein: an unusual cause of lower extremity swelling and review of the literature

We report the case of a 61-year-old man who had presented with acute unilateral limb swelling. Computed tomography venography and duplex ultrasound demonstrated compression of the right common femoral vein by a common femoral vein adventitial cyst. Before intervention, the patient had developed an acute deep vein thrombosis of the right common femoral vein and great saphenous vein. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated concern for synovial connection. After 6 months of anticoagulation therapy, the patient underwent adventitial cyst excision with ligation of the hip joint articular connection. At 4 months postoperatively, the patient was symptom free without cyst recurrence. The findings from the present case support the synovial theory for adventitial cystic disease.

Adventitial Cystic Disease of the Superficial Femoral Vein without a Joint Connection: A Case Report

Adventitial cystic disease (ACD) of the veins is a rare vascular disease. Most cases of venous ACD are located adjacent to the joint area, such as the common femoral, external iliac, and popliteal veins. To the best of our knowledge, 67 cases of venous ACD have been reported, and ACD of the superficial femoral vein (SFV) has never been reported. Herein, we report the case of a 57-year-old male who presented with swelling and discomfort in the left leg. Computed tomography venography revealed multiple cystic lesions in the left distal SFV. The patient underwent cyst excision, which relieved the compression in the vein, although mild stenosis prevailed in the SFV. After a week, thrombosis developed in the popliteal vein. The thrombosis resolved after three months of anticoagulant therapy, and the patient showed no recurrence of ACD during three years of follow-up.