Digital Mucous Cyst: A Clinical-Surgical Study

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested digital mucous cysts (DMCs) are associated with osteoarthritis and osteophytes in the elderly, and usually have a communicating pedicle with the joint. Surgical excision is a standard therapy with a high cure rate. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this prospective study is to evaluate the features of DMCs via clinical, radiological and pathological examination and the efficacy of surgical excision of DMCs. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2014, 24 Korean patients were treated with the resection of the cyst and the pedicle. Preoperative X-ray and ultrasonography were performed to detect the presence of the osteophyte and the connection to the joint space. Postoperative patients' satisfaction score was assessed by the visual analogue scale (0~10). RESULTS: The osteophytes were found in 15.8%. In ultrasonographic findings, there were prominent flow signals between the cyst and the joint space in 13.6%. There were no serious postoperative complications, and recurrences were observed in 16.7%. Mean postoperative satisfaction score was 8.3. CONCLUSION: It seems that preoperative X-ray for osteophytes and ultrasonographic study for connection are not always helpful for the treatment of DMCs, and that the surgical excision with a pedicle ligation and electrocoagulation is an effective treatment modality.