Baker’s cyst in children: conservative management versus surgical excision according to clinical and imaging criteria

Abstract

Abstract Background Pediatric patients rarely exhibit Baker’s cysts. This study was conducted on 15 cases (9 males, 6 females) presented with Baker (popliteal) cyst in the last 2 years (from September 2017 to September 2019). The mean age was 8.5 years. The aim of this study was to present our experience in management of these cases based on clinical and imaging criteria. Plain x-ray and knee ultrasonography were routinely done for all cases. If the size of the cyst was less than or equal to 3 cm by ultrasonography, with no or minimal pain, the patients were managed conservatively and were scheduled to followed up visits after 3 months, 6 months, and after 12 months for clinical assessment of symptoms and sonographic size of the cyst. Surgical excision of the Baker’s cyst was considered if the size of the cyst was more than 3 cm with persistent of pain. Results Seven cases had cysts less than 3 cm by ultrasonography and were managed conservatively. In five out of these seven cases, the cysts disappeared with no recurrence within the first year of follow-up. In two cases, the cysts increased in size with increase in pain. These two cases were subjected to surgical excision after 1 year of follow-up. The remaining eight cases had cysts more than 3 cm and were managed by surgical excision. Out of the ten cases which were managed by surgical excision, recurrence occurred in 3 cases within the first post-operative year (after 4 months, 7 months, and 8 months) consecutively. Conclusions The management of Baker’s cysts in children is debatable, with no definite protocol. In this current study, we conclude that surgical excision of large Baker’s cysts (more than 3 cm) with persistent symptoms is crucial providing meticulous dissection without rupture of the cyst and proper closure of the pedicle which connects the cyst with the knee joint, while conservative management and follow-up is effective in small Baker’s cysts (less than 3 cm) with no recurrence.