Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Lateral meniscal cyst causing common peroneal palsy

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Skeletal Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Lateral meniscal cysts are relatively common, but only in rare instances do they cause common peroneal nerve irritation. There are, we believe, no cases reported in which both the sensory and motor functions of the nerve have been compromised. We present a case of a lateral meniscal cyst that became palpable and led to symptoms of numbness and weakness in the distribution of the common peroneal nerve. The MRI findings were of an oblique tear of the lateral meniscus with an associated multiloculated meniscal cyst that coursed behind the biceps tendon before encroaching on the common peroneal nerve. Surgical resection confirmed the tract as located on the MRI and histology confirmed the mass to be a synovial cyst. Resection of the cyst and arthroscopic excision of the meniscal tear led to resolution of the symptoms in 3 months.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bonar SF, Viglione W, Schatz J, Scolyer RA, McCarthy SW. An unusual variant of intraneural ganglion of the common peroneal nerve. Skeletal Radiol 2006; 35(3): 165–171.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Coleman SH, Beredjeklian PK, Weiland AJ. Intraneural ganglion cyst of the peroneal nerve accompanied by complete foot drop. A case report. Am J Sports Med 2001; 29(2): 238–241.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Parkes A. Intraneural ganglion of the lateral popliteal nerve. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1961; 43-B: 784–790.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Spinner RJ, Mokhtarzadeh A, Schiefer TK, Krishnan KG, Kliot M, Amrami KK. The clinico-anatomic explanation for tibial intraneural ganglion cysts arising from the superior tibiofibular joint. Skeletal Radiol 2007; 36(4): 281–292.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Stack RE, Bianco AJ Jr, MacCarty CS. Compression of the common peroneal nerve by ganglion cysts: a report of nine cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1965; 47: 773–778.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Coker TP, Kent M. Peroneal-nerve irritation associated with cystic lateral meniscus of the knee. A report of two cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1967; 49(2): 362–364.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Decker MJ, Thorpe MS, Pavlov H, Soila K. Atypical clinical and magnetic resonance imaging manifestations of meniscal cysts. A report of two cases and review of the literature. Am J Sports Med 1999; 27(2): 230–234.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Edwards MS, Hirigoyen M, Burge PD. Compression of the common peroneal nerve by a cyst of the lateral meniscus. A case report. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1995; 316: 131–133.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Medical Research Council. Aids to the examination of the peripheral nervous system. Memorandum No. 45. 1976. London, Her Majesty’s Stationary Office.

  10. Barrie HJ. The pathogenesis and significance of menisceal cysts. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1979; 61-B(2): 184–189.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Schuldt DR, Wolfe RD. Clinical and arthrographic findings in meniscal cysts. Radiology 1980; 134(1): 49–52.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Mink JH, Reicher MA, Crues JV III, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee. 2nd ed. New York: Raven; 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Reagan WD, McConkey JP, Loomer RL, Davidson RG. Cysts of the lateral meniscus: arthroscopy versus arthroscopy plus open cystectomy. Arthroscopy 1989; 5(4): 274–281.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Lantz B, Singer KM. Meniscal cysts. Clin Sports Med 1990; 9(3): 707–725.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Campbell SE, Sanders TG, Morrison WB. MR imaging of meniscal cysts: incidence, location, and clinical significance. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2001; 177(2): 409–413.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Tasker AD, Ostlere SJ. Relative incidence and morphology of lateral and medial meniscal cysts detected by magnetic resonance imaging. Clin Radiol 1995; 50(11): 778–781.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. McCarthy CL, McNally EG. The MRI appearance of cystic lesions around the knee. Skeletal Radiol 2004; 33(4): 187–209.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Standring S. Gray’s anatomy. 39th ed. New York: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Spinner RJ, Atkinson JL, Tiel RL. Peroneal intraneural ganglia: the importance of the articular branch. A unifying theory. J Neurosurg 2003; 99(2): 330–343.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Coral A, van Holsbeeck M, Adler RS. Imaging of meniscal cyst of the knee in three cases. Skeletal Radiol 1989; 18(6): 451–455.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Level 7, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, 3050, Australia

    Andrew J. L. Jowett & Jaquie F. A. Johnston

  2. Department of Radiology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, 3050, Australia

    Francesco Gaillard & Suzanne E. Anderson

Authors
  1. Andrew J. L. Jowett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jaquie F. A. Johnston
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Francesco Gaillard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Suzanne E. Anderson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrew J. L. Jowett.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jowett, A.J.L., Johnston, J.F.A., Gaillard, F. et al. Lateral meniscal cyst causing common peroneal palsy. Skeletal Radiol 37, 351–355 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-007-0430-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-007-0430-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation