Fine-needle aspiration cytology of ganglion cysts

Diagn Cytopathol. 1996 Dec;15(5):377-81. doi: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0339(199612)15:5<377::AID-DC4>3.0.CO;2-9.

Abstract

Ganglion cyst is a relatively common lesion resulting from mucoid, cystic degeneration of soft tissues adjacent to a joint space. Aspiration of cyst contents has been increasingly advocated as a diagnostic and, in some instances, therapeutic modality. We report the fine-needle aspiration cytologic (FNAC) findings from seven cases of ganglion cyst. These include the aspiration of thick, gelatinous fluid and a smear comprised of rare histiocytes embedded in a mucoid matrix. Although these findings are nonspecific, we believe that in the appropriate clinical setting, the diagnosis of ganglion cyst can be made with confidence by FNA.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liposarcoma, Myxoid / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myxoma / pathology
  • Synovial Cyst / pathology*