A study to determine recurrence rates and patient satisfaction after ultrasound-guided aspiration of wrist ganglions

Objectives: To determine the recurrence rates and patient satisfaction after US-guided aspiration of wrist ganglion cysts during the follow-up of one year. Material and Methods: A prospective interventional study was conducted over a period of 18 months during which all patients presenting with ganglions in the wrist and above the age of 18 years were included. US-guided aspiration was done for all of them after which they were followed for one year to determine the recurrence rate and patient satisfaction. Results: Out of 56 patients enrolled in the study, 50 responded to the follow-up and were included in the study for final analysis. Recurrence occurred in 10 cases out of 50 cases with a recurrence rate of 20%. Compared to the non-recurred cases, cases with recurrence had significantly more size (2.2 +/- 0.4 vs 1.2 +/- 0.3 cm, p=0.02) but comparable morphology and location ( p >0.05). The patient satisfaction score was significantly better ( p <0.0001) in patients experiencing no recurrence in the follow-up. Conclusion: US-guided aspiration is a novel, effective and safe modality of treatment for wrist ganglion cysts with low recurrence rates and adequate patient satisfaction. The recurrence rates with US-guided aspiration were less in the young population and smaller ganglion cysts making those patients good candidates for US-guided aspiration to spare surgical removal or cyst excision.