A ganglion cyst is a bump or mass that forms under the skin. Most commonly, ganglions are seen on the wrist (usually the back side) and fingers, but they can also develop around joints on the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip, ankle and foot. Ganglion cysts form when tissues surrounding certain joints become inflamed and swell up with lubricating fluid. They can increase in size when the tissue is irritated and often can "disappear" spontaneously.

Ganglion cysts are fairly easy to diagnose because they are usually visible and pliable to the touch. They are distinguished from other growths by their location near tendons or joints and by their fluid consistency. Ganglion cysts are sometimes confused with a carpal boss (a bony, non-mobile spur on the top of the wrist), but can usually be distinguished by the fact that they can be moved and are usually less painful for the patient. See similar questions...

Treatment may be as simple as watching for any changes. However, if the cyst is painful, limits activity, or its appearance is unacceptable, other treatments may be recommended. These include removing fluid from the cyst with a needle, immobilizing the hand or wrist with a splint, and if necessary surgery to remove the cyst. See similar questions...

Cysts are harmless accumulations of fluid in the breast (or other tissue or organs). The exact causes of cysts are not known, but cysts are known to change with hormonal variations, either during normal menstrual cycles or from post-menopausal hormone replacement. Contrary to popular belief, caffeine has no proven effect on cysts. Cysts do not become cancer or increase the risk of cancer. Most of the time, cysts may be left alone, but sometimes a physician may drain them with a small needle. See similar questions...

A resting cyst is a non-active life stage that many types of algae, including golden alga, undergo. The cyst may form during unfavorable conditions (ex: low nutrients or predation) and may be able to become an active swimming cell again when conditions improve. Very little is known about the resting cysts of golden alga. See similar questions...

Ovarian endometriosis probably starts as a surface lesion. The process becomes invasive and the endometriotic lesion internalizes into the ovarian tissue. Once the menstrual flow and debris collect at the site of endometriosis in the ovaries, endometrial cysts form that are filled with chocolate-colored liquid. These are commonly called chocolate cysts, or endometriomA. These are nothing more than cysts which represent debris from prolonged cyclic menstruation in an enclosed areA. See similar questions...

Stellate Ganglion Injection is an injection of local anesthetic in the "sympathetic nerve tissue" – the nerves which are a part of Sympathetic Nervous System. The nerves are located on the either side of the voice box, in the neck. See similar questions...

The cause of ganglions is not always clear. Non-occupational factors or conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis have been associated with ganglion cysts. Occupational factors play also an important role in the development of ganglions. Those occupations that require workers to excessively overuse certain joints such as the wrist and fingers pose the risk for ganglion cysts. See similar questions...

It is very difficult to predict if the injection(s) will indeed help you or not. The patients who present early during their illness tend to respond better than those who have this treatment after about six months of symptoms do. Patients in the advanced stages of disease may not respond adequately. See similar questions...

Absent any other information, the classic answer is "no, PKD is bilateral and requires multiple cysts". However, evidence suggests that cysts from other causes are relatively rare. See similar questions...

A cyst is a fluid filled cavity. Cysts can often be found in the ovaries. Ovarian cysts are usually diagnosed by pelvic exam or ultrasound. If the cyst is entirely filled with fluid it is called a "simple cyst." Ovarian follicles as they undergo maturation may appear on an ultrasound as simple cysts or occasionally as complex cysts. These cysts usually resolve within one to two months. Simple cysts are almost always benign. See similar questions...

A functional ovarian cyst is a round, thin-walled, clear fluid-filled sac that develops in the ovary as part of normal egg development. When it is on the ovary's surface, a functional ovarian cyst looks something like a skin blister. A normal ovarian cyst can grow as large as 1.5 in. (3.8 cm) as it prepares to release an egg into the abdomen (ovulation). When an ovarian cyst does not release its egg, it continues to grow, becoming larger than normal (functional ovarian cyst). See similar questions...

Yes. Projections such as compression spots or magnification views are acceptable as long as they demonstrate the cyst/mass in 2 planes, and the cyst/mass has been clearly marked. The ACR Breast Ultrasound Accreditation Program Requirements specify that the "facility name and location" should be recorded on each image of the study. The location could be as basic as city and state; it does not need to be the full address. See similar questions...

A dermal cyst excision or dermal cyst removal is a procedure where the cyst, which is a sac filled with liquid or a jelly-like material, is removed from the skin. Most of these cysts are found on the skin of the abdomen, chest, face, neck or scalp. Cysts may stay small for years or gradually grow larger. Cyst excision is done not only for cosmetic reasons, but also to effectively remove cysts, especially those that can be cancerous. See similar questions...

In our health-conscious culture, many people do a monthly self-inspection in search of odd moles, cysts, or tumors, or anything else that seems out of place on their bodies. This generally is a good idea, because they can then let the doctor know if... See similar questions...