Occult Isolated Articular Branch Cyst of the Lateral Plantar Nerve

Authors

• Nikhil Prasad, Research Fellow, Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
• Kimberly K. Amrami, Professor, Department of Neurologic Surgery and Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
• Kivanc Yangi, Research Assistant, Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
• Robert J. Spinner, Professor and Chair, Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Electronic address: spinner.robert@mayo.edu.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

We present the first known case of cyst fluid localized to an articular branch without involvement of the larger parent nerve. During a routine tarsal tunnel decompression in a patient with fluctuating plantar foot symptoms and "normal" magnetic resonance imaging findings, we identified cyst fluid within an articular branch of the lateral plantar nerve to the subtalar joint. Our incidental intraoperative discovery was corroborated by retrospective review of the magnetic resonance images. Although we do not know whether this cyst was responsible for the patient's complaints, we believe this finding represents a snapshot into the life cycle of intraneural ganglion cysts: either the "birth" of an ultra-early one or the remnant of a once larger one. Both interpretations are consistent with the unifying articular theory and add further insight into the dynamic phases of the progression of intraneural ganglion cysts.

Medical Subject Headings

Electromyography (methods); Female; Follow-Up Studies; Ganglion Cysts (diagnostic imaging, surgery); Humans; Incidental Findings; Intraoperative Complications (diagnostic imaging, surgery); Magnetic Resonance Imaging (methods); Middle Aged; Preoperative Care; Risk Assessment; Subtalar Joint (diagnostic imaging, surgery); Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (diagnostic imaging, surgery); Tibial Nerve (diagnostic imaging, surgery); Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Doppler (methods)

Publication Date

1-1-2017

Publication Title

The Journal of foot and ankle surgery : official publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

E-ISSN

1542-2224

Volume

56

Issue

1

First Page

78

Last Page

81

PubMed ID

27989351

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1053/j.jfas.2016.09.008

Recommended Citation

Prasad, Nikhil; Amrami, Kimberly K.; Yangi, Kivanc; and Spinner, Robert J., "Occult Isolated Articular Branch Cyst of the Lateral Plantar Nerve" (2017). Neurosurgery. 2360.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurosurgery/2360