Abstract
Intraosseous ganglia are typically found in the epiphyses of long bones with the two most common locations being the femoral head and medial malleolus. Almost a fifth of cases reported are found in the carpal bones where the ganglion may be an infrequent cause of chronic wrist pain. Persistence and severity of symptoms rather than radiological findings determine the need for further management. Curettage and bone grafting has been performed for patients with constant symptoms that have severely restricted occupational or recreational activities. Clinically the patients improve but in up to forty percent symptoms persist affecting function.
The authors describe an arthroscopic assisted technique of debridement and bone graft used to treat eight patients with intraosseous ganglions of the lunate. All patients returned to work within four months with significant improvement in function and substantial reductions in pain scores. The modified Green scores increased 33.8 points from 51.2 to 85.0 points (p=0.03) by one year postoperatively. Radiographic analysis showed trabeculation within the lunate at an average of 13.8 months following surgery.
The technique is safe, with minimal morbidity and no re-operations.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Dr. Frantz Langlais. Correspondence should be addressed to him at EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
