subchondral cyst

Geodes, also known as subchondral cysts, are well-defined lytic lesions at the periarticular surfaces. A geode is one of the common differential diagnoses of an epiphyseal lesion (lytic).

Epidemiology

Associations

Geodes are seen in a small group of disorders including:

Pathology

Presumably, one method of geode formation takes place when synovial fluid is forced into the subchondral bone, resulting in a cystic collection of joint fluid. Another etiology is that following a bone contusion, the contused bone forms a cyst.

Treatment and prognosis

They rarely cause problems by themselves but are often misdiagnosed as something more sinister and an unnecessary biopsy of a geode might be performed on the basis of the differential of an epiphyseal lesion.

History and etymology

Geode is a term borrowed from "geology", where it refers to rounded formations in igneous and sedimentary rocks.

See also

Siehe auch:
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