Bone & joints

Other nonneoplastic

Cystic meniscus



Last author update: 1 January 2013
Last staff update: 10 December 2021

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PubMed Search: Cystic meniscus

Vijay Shankar, M.D.
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Cite this page: Shankar V. Cystic meniscus. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/jointscysticmeniscus.html. Accessed April 24th, 2024.
Definition / general
  • Lesion similar to ganglion but in menisci of knee
  • Either at lateral or medial joint margin (AJR Am J Roentgenol 2001;177:409)
  • Either confined to meniscus or extends beyond capsule
  • Almost always associated with meniscal tears; may be due to trauma
  • Cyst caused by simple extrusion of synovial fluid through meniscal tear
  • Usually pain and swelling
Case reports
Clinical images

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Arthroscopic finding

External aspect of cyst

Cyst resection

Microscopic (histologic) description
  • Cyst lined by synovial epithelium with nonspecific inflammation and focal hemorrhage
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