Firooznia H, Golimbu C, Rafii M, Genieser N B
Rev Interam Radiol. 1979 Apr;4(2):95-7.
Rupture of a popliteal cyst and dissection of its contents into the calf may produce pain, swelling, a positive Homan's sign and other findings closely resembling thrombophlebitis of the calf. The correct diagnosis is not often made, and the patient is subjected to needless long term anticoagulant therapy with its potential complications. To avoid this, it is essential that this possibility be kept in mind in all patients in whom the diagnosis of thrombophlebitis is considered. The history of preexisting arthritis of the knee, joint effusion and popliteal cyst are strongly suggestive of a ruptured popliteal cyst. This diagnosis can be verified by arthrography, ultrasonography, computed tomography and radionuclide scanning. Arthrography is preferred because it reveals superior anatomic detail thereby making differentiation between an encapsulated calf cyst, with smooth walls, and rupture, with irregular feathery margins, possible. Three illustrative cases are presented and the literature is reviewed.
腘窝囊肿破裂及其内容物扩散至小腿可引起疼痛、肿胀、霍曼氏征阳性以及其他与小腿血栓性静脉炎极为相似的表现。正确诊断往往难以做出，患者因此接受不必要的长期抗凝治疗及其潜在并发症。为避免这种情况，对于所有考虑诊断为血栓性静脉炎的患者，必须牢记这种可能性。既往膝关节关节炎病史、关节积液和腘窝囊肿强烈提示腘窝囊肿破裂。该诊断可通过关节造影、超声、计算机断层扫描和放射性核素扫描来证实。关节造影更受青睐，因为它能显示更优的解剖细节，从而有可能区分壁光滑的包囊性小腿囊肿与边缘不规则呈羽毛状的破裂囊肿。本文介绍了3例说明性病例并对文献进行了综述。
