Fine Needle Aspiration: A simple and convenient alternative for diagnosing and treating ganglions

Background: Ganglion cysts are common lesions of the hand and wrist. They are usually asymptomatic well circumscribed soft to firm nodules. Their origin is still muddled in controversy. Here we report our experience with fine needle aspiration of ganglions.
Methods: In this report we present a study of ganglion cysts diagnosed and simultaneously treated by fine needle aspiration in our tertiary care hospital from January 2009 to July 2010.
Results: Fine needle aspiration cytology was performed on 20 ganglion cysts during a 19 month period. Nine patients followed up to hospital for other medical problems unrelated to ganglion cysts and only one patient had to undergo surgical excision due to the large size of the cyst. No patient returned with a recurrence.
Conclusion: Fine needle aspiration is a simple, non traumatic, inexpensive and low risk alternative method of treating ganglion cysts.