Acute compartment syndrome due to ruptured Baker cyst after nonsurgical management of an anterior cruciate ligament tear: a case report

Compartment syndrome secondary to Baker's cyst rupture: A case report and up-to-date review

Baker's cyst is a distention or enlargement of the gastrocnemius-semimembranosus bursa toward the popliteal fossa which is usually associated with intra-articular pathologies. Rupture or dissection of the Baker's cyst results in extravasation of the cyst content into the calf within intermuscular space under the fascia. This clinical entity, also called pseudothrombophlebitis, is a self-limited condition that usually resolves with supportive treatment. However, in patients using anticoagulants, excessive hemorrhage may cause compartment syndrome in case of cyst rupture. Early diagnosis of compartment syndrome is the most important step in preventing permanent disability. Therefore, compartment syndrome should be kept in mind and ruled out in a patient with pseudothrombophlebitis syndrome under anticoagulation therapy.

Baker's Cyst: Diagnostic and Surgical Considerations

Context:

Popliteal synovial cysts, also known as Baker’s cysts, are commonly found in association with intra-articular knee disorders, such as osteoarthritis and meniscus tears. Histologically, the cyst walls resemble synovial tissue with fibrosis evident, and there may be chronic nonspecific inflammation present. Osteocartilaginous loose bodies may also be found within the cyst, even if they are not seen in the knee joint. Baker’s cysts can be a source of posterior knee pain that persists despite surgical treatment of the intra-articular lesion, and they are routinely discovered on magnetic resonance imaging scans of the symptomatic knee. Symptoms related to a popliteal cyst origin are infrequent and may be related to size.

Evidence Acquisition:

A PubMed search was conducted with keywords related to the history, diagnosis, and treatment of Baker’s cysts—namely, Baker’s cyst, popliteal cyst, diagnosis, treatment, formation of popliteal cyst, surgical indications, and complications. Bibliographies from these references were also reviewed to identify related and pertinent literature.

Study Design:

Clinical review.

Level of Evidence:

Level 4.

Results:

Baker’s cysts are commonly found associated with intra-articular knee disorders. Proper diagnosis, examination, and treatment are paramount in alleviating the pain and discomfort associated with Baker’s cysts.

Conclusion:

A capsular opening to the semimembranosus–medial head gastrocnemius bursa is a commonly found normal anatomic variant. It is thought that this can lead to the formation of a popliteal cyst in the presence of chronic knee effusions as a result of intra-articular pathology. Management of symptomatic popliteal cysts is conservative. The intra-articular pathology should be first addressed by arthroscopy. If surgical excision later becomes necessary, a limited posteromedial approach is often employed. Other treatments, such as arthroscopic debridement and closure of the valvular mechanism, are not well studied and cannot yet be recommended.

Popliteal cysts: a current review

Baker's cyst, or popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled mass that is a distention of a preexisting bursa in the popliteal fossa, most commonly the gastrocnemio-semimembranosus bursa. This bursa is unique in that it communicates with the knee joint, unlike other periarticular bursae, via an opening in the joint capsule posterior to the medial femoral condyle. Many have theorized that this opening creates a valve-like mechanism in the presence of effusion that contributes to the formation of these cysts in adults. Popliteal cysts rarely manifest alone and are most often found in conjunction with other intra-articular pathologies and inflammatory conditions, such as osteoarthritis, meniscus tears, and rheumatoid arthritis. In children, popliteal cysts are only occasionally associated with these conditions and are more often an incidental finding discovered during a routine physical examination. Popliteal cysts may present as either a chronically persistent or relapsing condition or as an acute and dramatic condition that can occur in the case of cyst rupture presenting as pseudothrombophlebitis. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging have proven to be consistent and accurate in the confirmation of popliteal cysts, with magnetic resonance imaging becoming the modern imaging modality of choice. This review discusses the anatomy and etiology of popliteal cysts, describes the common clinical presentations, reviews the differential diagnoses, and provides guidance for proper diagnostic imaging. It also provides a comparison of current conservative, minimally invasive, and invasive treatment options, along with a discussion of results. Postoperative rehabilitation depends largely on the condition associated with the popliteal cyst.

Giant Synovial Cyst of the Anterior Compartment: An Unusual Cause of Chronic Knee Pain After Trauma

There is almost no literature describing the management and rationale for intervention for posttraumatic, extra-articular synovial cysts of the knee. We describe the very rare case of a 45-year-old blind man who developed chronic knee pain after a traumatic injury. He was found to have a giant, posttraumatic, true synovial cyst of the knee in an extra-articular location and migrating down the anterior compartment. The surgical management, potential complications, and rationale for intervention are discussed.