engleski

A rapid recurrence of a giant popliteal cyst in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Despite increasing knowledge of etiopathogenesis, therapy and the recurrence rate of the popliteal cyst, it nevertheless occasionally represents a clinical enigma. We thus report the case of a 58-year old rheumatoid arthritis patient in whom a giant recurrent cyst developed very shortly after primary excision. Reports of such large popliteal cysts are rare and very few cases were reported in RA patients. Moreover, no such giant recurrent cysts formed so shortly after primary excision. Thus, its occurrence may be partially ascribed to the specific dynamics of fluid flows caused by the absence of a valve-like mechanism. Regarding the treatment, it appears that synoviectomy may reduce the production of synovial fluid, but reinforcement of the thin tissue can be estimated only after posterior capsula closure and capsuloplasty. Immobilization is necessary so that initiation of the healing process is not disturbed.

rheumatoid arthritis; giant popliteal cyst; therapy

nije evidentirano