Ganglion cyst of the carpal navicular. A case report and review of the literature

SummaryIntraosseous ganglion (IOG) cyst of the scaphoid is an infrequent cause of hand and wrist pain. Intraosseous ganglia located in the scaphoid have rarely been described in the literature. We report the case of a 30-year-old right-handed woman who presented with a more than 24-month history of progressive right-wrist pain. No history of trauma was reported. Conservative treatment with anti-inflammatory medications before referral was unsuccessful. Examination revealed a small palpable mass in the carpal navicular region with no limitation of normal wrist motion. An IOG cyst of the scaphoid was found on standard radiograph and CT-scan of the wrist. Treatment consisted in curettage of the cyst followed by packing of the defect with autologous cancellous bone graft harvested in the distal end of the radial metaphysis. Satisfactory functional recovery was achieved. The clinical, radiographic and therapeutic aspects of this rare condition are discussed by the authors.