Musculoskeletal ImagingBaker's cyst
(William Baker, 18391896, British surgeon), a synovial cyst in the posterior aspect of the knee related to a knee effusion leading to distension of the gastrocnemius semimembranosus bursa; this entity is also termed a popliteal cyst.
The cysts may or may not communicate with the neighbouring joint. Baker's cysts may dissect between the muscles of the leg or rupture, with extravasation of fluid, producing clinical manifestations resembling those of thrombophlebitis. Ultrasonography, radionuclide arthrography (Fig.1), standard arthrography, CT scanning, computed arthrotomography and MR imaging are helpful in the diagnosis of a Baker's cyst.
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Lateral radiograph of the knee after intraarticular injection of both air and iodinated contrast demonstrates a large Baker's cyst extending posterior and inferior from the knee joint.
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Baker's cyst, Fig.1 | |