Ganglion
مراجعة من قبل الدكتورة توني هازيل، MRCGPآخر تحديث بواسطة الدكتورة فيليبا فينسنت، MRCGPLast updated 11 أغسطس 2025
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A ganglion cyst is a harmless fluid-filled lump which can occur near joints or tendons. They are most commonly found on the wrists or hands. They are harmless but can cause discomfort, pain and weakness. Some people find them unsightly. Usually, no treatment is needed. Sometimes a ganglion can be removed by a small operation.
At a glance
A ganglion cyst is a lump under the skin with jelly-like fluid.
They are most commonly found on the back of the wrist.
Ganglion cysts can range from pea-sized to plum-sized.
They can sometimes be painful, especially if near a nerve.
About half of ganglion cysts disappear over time without treatment.
Treatment options include aspiration with a needle or surgical removal.
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تابع القراءة أدناه
What is a ganglion cyst?
Wrist ganglion cyst
© GEMalone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A ganglion cyst is a small swelling that contains a thick jelly-like material. It looks and feels like a smooth lump under the skin. It is not fully understood how it occurs but most experts think that they occur due to multiple micro-traumas to the area of the body.
A ganglion is usually attached to a joint or tendon, and the fluid inside is a thicker version of the fluid which 'lubricates' the joint and tendon sheaths (synovial fluid).
Where are ganglion cysts found?
Back of the wrist. The most common site for a ganglion to be found is on the back of the wrist. 7 out of 10 ganglion cysts are found here.
Front of the wrist (the same side as the palm). It can also occur on the other side of the wrist. 2 out of 10 ganglion cysts are found here.
Top of foot, ankle, top parts of the fingers. 1 out of 10 ganglion cysts are found here.
Other sites of the body are affected less commonly.
Ganglion cyst symptoms
العودة إلى المحتوياتSwelling. The main symptom is a lump, which is usually very smooth and round.
Size. Their size can vary from being very small (pea-sized) to being larger (plum-sized).
Painful. They can sometimes be painful or tender, particularly if they lie next to a nerve.
Never spread. They never spread to other areas of the body.
Usually when a ganglion cyst is present it is there all the time but sometimes they come and go. 5 out of 10 ganglion cysts disappear completely over time without any treatment.
Your doctor will usually be able to tell if the lump is a ganglion just by examining it. Very occasionally, if the diagnosis is not clear, a scan such as فحص بالموجات فوق الصوتية أو فحص الرنين المغناطيسي may be needed.
تابع القراءة أدناه
Ganglion cyst treatment
العودة إلى المحتوياتIf a ganglion cyst does not cause symptoms it can be best just to leave it alone. However, many people prefer to get rid of them.
Many people have heard of the traditional cure, which is to smash them with a heavy book (tradition holds it to be the family bible). This bursts the cyst under the skin. The fluid is then absorbed into the bloodstream. In some people this works well, but there is a high chance of it coming back (recurring), as the walls of the cyst can reform. It is not usually recommended as there is a risk of injury to the area around the ganglion cyst.
Medical treatment is not always available on the NHS.
Aspiration
العودة إلى المحتوياتIn some cases it is possible to suck out (aspirate) the fluid with a needle and syringe. If the jelly-like fluid is very thick this may not work. Also, if it does work, there is a chance that the cyst will recur, as the wall of the cyst is not removed, and the fluid may form again to refill the ganglion. However, in some people it cures the problem. As it is quite easy for a doctor (usually an orthopaedic surgeon) to do, this is often attempted first.
تابع القراءة أدناه
الجراحة
العودة إلى المحتوياتSurgical removal of the ganglion cyst is the most successful cure. This is a relatively minor operation. This is the treatment that is most likely to be permanent but still around 3 cases in 20 will come back.
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الكتل والنتوءات في الرقبة شائعة ولها العديد من الأسباب المحتملة. قد تنشأ من الجلد أو من الهياكل الموجودة تحته.
بقلم الدكتور دوغ مكيتشني، MRCGP
العلامات والأعراض
الكتل
معظم الكتل غير ضارة ولا تحتاج إلى أي علاج. ومع ذلك، من المهم جدًا زيارة طبيبك إذا كان لديك أي قلق بشأن الكتلة، أو إذا لم تختف الكتلة خلال أسبوعين.
by Dr Hayley Willacy, FRCGP
الأسئلة الشائعة
What specifically causes a ganglion cyst to form?
The exact cause of ganglion cysts isn't fully understood, but most experts believe they are linked to repeated small injuries or stresses (micro-traumas) to an area of the body. They are typically connected to a joint or a tendon, and the fluid inside is a thicker version of the lubricating fluid found in joints and tendon sheaths.
If a ganglion cyst disappears on its own, does it mean it won't come back?
No, even if a ganglion cyst disappears completely without any treatment, there's still a chance it could recur. About half of all ganglion cysts go away by themselves over time, but the underlying reason for their formation might still be present.
Are ganglion cysts ever a sign of a more serious underlying health problem?
No, ganglion cysts are not generally a sign of a more serious health problem. They are benign lumps that never spread to other areas of the body. If your doctor confirms it's a ganglion cyst, you typically don't need to worry about it being cancerous or indicating another illness.
Is it true that hitting a ganglion cyst with a book can make it go away?
There is a traditional method of treating ganglion cysts by hitting them with a heavy book to burst them. While this can sometimes work by absorbing the fluid, it is not generally recommended. There's a high chance the cyst will return because the walls can reform, and there's a risk of injury to the area.
If my doctor isn't sure if a lump is a ganglion cyst, what happens next?
If the diagnosis isn't clear just from a physical examination, your doctor might recommend further investigation. This could involve scans such as an ultrasound scan or an MRI scan to get a clearer picture of the lump.
What is the likelihood of a ganglion cyst returning after aspiration or surgery?
After aspiration (sucking out the fluid), there's a chance the cyst will recur because the cyst wall remains and fluid can form again. Even with surgical removal, which is the most successful cure, about 3 out of 20 cases (15%) can still return.
قراءة إضافية ومراجع
- Gude W, Morelli V; Ganglion cysts of the wrist: pathophysiology, clinical picture, and management. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2008 Dec;1(3-4):205-11. doi: 10.1007/s12178-008-9033-4. Epub 2008 Aug 26.
- Ganglion - Clinical guidance; Primary Care Dermatology Society. November 2021.
- Ganglion cysts; British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH)
- BSSH Evidence for Surgical Treatment - Wrist Ganglion; British Society for Surgery of the hand
تابع القراءة أدناه
About the authorView full bio
الدكتورة فيليبا فينسنت، MRCGP
General Practitioner, Medical Author
MB BS, Bsc, MRCGP (2000), DCH, DFSRH, DRCOG
الدكتورة Philippa Vincent is an NHS GP working in North London.
About the reviewerView full bio
الدكتورة توني هازيل، MRCGP
MBBS, BSc, MRCGP, DFSRH, Dip GU med, DRCOG, DCH (London, UK, 2000)
Dr. Toni Hazell qualified from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School and did her VTS at Northwick Park Hospital.
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11 أغسطس 2025 | أحدث إصدار
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