A Unique Technique for Precise Targeting in Treatment of Rare Bifocal Intraosseous Ganglion Cysts of the Talus: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Patient: Male, 51-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Intraosseous ganglion cyst

Symptoms: Discomfort • pain

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: Athroscopy • bone graft

Specialty: Orthopedics and Traumatology

Objective:

Rare disease

Background:

This article presents a rare case of 2 separate intraosseous ganglion cysts of the talus in a 51-year-old man, treated with a unique technique of precise lesion targeting to avoid extensive bone loss and minimize articular chondral injury of the talus.

Case Report:

Two separate intraosseous ganglion cysts of the talus were diagnosed in a 51-year-old man with chronic ankle pain. A single straight-line incision with an entry point through the talonavicular joint was created to spare the precarious blood supply of the talus network. The 2 distinct subchondral lesions were approached under fluoroscopic control for curettage and autologous bone grafting using the anterior cruciate ligament tibial guide in a pair-of-compasses fashion. In almost 5 years of follow-up the patient has been asymptomatic. Magnetic resonance imaging has revealed no signs of degenerative changes in the ankle or the talonavicular joint, and the intraosseous edema has almost disappeared.

Conclusions:

To the best of our knowledge, this case is the first report of 2 distinct intraosseous ganglion cysts of the talus. We recommend the precise targeting technique used in our case for treating intraosseous talar lesions with intact articular cartilage.