Volar radial wrist–forearm primary and recurrent ganglia of the flexor carpi radialis tendon secondary to pathology isolated to the trapezial fibro-osseous synovial sheath tunnel: A case series report

Abstract

Surgical treatment of primary and recurrent volar radial wrist–forearm ganglia has yielded higher recurrence rates of ganglia when compared to surgical treatment of dorsal wrist ganglia. The published surgical literature hypothesizes that the variability in etiology of volar radial wrist–forearm ganglia may account for the higher surgical recurrence rates of these ganglia. Currently, the literature states that volar radial wrist–forearm ganglia may be secondary to arthritic intercarpal joints, carpal interosseous ganglia, or by mechanical stress within tendon sheaths, joint capsules, and ligaments. The literature has not reported pathology isolated to the flexor carpi radialis tendon and its tendon sheath at the volar trapezial fibro-osseous synovial sheath tunnel as a cause of volar radial wrist–forearm ganglia. This case series reports findings of pathology isolated to the flexor carpi radialis tendon at the trapezial fibro-osseous synovial sheath tunnel that caused primary and recurrent volar radial wrist–forearm ganglia. The pathology identified in this case series hypothesizes an additional etiologic factor in development of volar radial wrist–forearm ganglia. Surgeon awareness of potential pathology of the flexor carpi radialis tendon at the trapezial fibro-osseous synovial sheath tunnel may reduce recurrence rates of volar radial wrist–forearm ganglia treated by surgical intervention.