Aspiration and metilprednisolone injection to the cavity with branule needle in the treatment of volar wrist ganglia:new technique

Objective: There are several types of treatment modalities for wrist ganglions. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of cyst aspiration and methyl prednisolone acetate injection with double IV cannula rather than sharp pointed needle, as a new technique in the treatment of volar ganglia.

Methodology: The study involves total of 19 patients who received treatment by aspiration and methyl prednisolone injection into the cavity. Two IV cannulas are pricked to the cystic cavity. Cyst fluid is drained by the distally placed IV cannula meanwhile injecting methyl prednisolone by proximally placed IV cannula. The patient records and follow-up reports are retrospectively investigated. The patient age, sex, site of the cyst, the treatment that was applied, adjacency to the artery and the nerves and recurrence are recorded. Mean follow up time was 2.1±0.5 years.

Results: The study involved 19 patients that received aspiration treatment for volar ganglion cysts between January 2004 and December 2009. There were 12 (63.2%) female and 7 (36.8%) male subject with volar wrist ganglion cyst. The mean age of patients was 27.63±6.6 years. Fourteen (73.7%) patients of total had cysts close to the artery. We didn’t observe any complication related to methyl prednisolone injection and arterial ischemia. Recurrence was observed in three (15.8%) patients.

Conclusion: This method has lower recurrence rate than other aspiration therapy with sharp pointed needle. We prefer to use IV cannula needle for cyst aspiration and steroid injection in treatment of volar ganglia before any surgical intervention.