Baker's Cyst Filled with Hematoma at the Lower Calf

Abstract

Baker's cyst is a distension of the gastrocnemius-semimembranosus bursa of the knee, which communicates with the posterior portion of the joint capsule. Baker's cyst is commonly located in the inferomedial or superficial layers of the knee joint and rarely extends laterally or proximally. Complications of Baker's cysts are dissection, rupture, pseudothrombophlebitis, leg ischemia, nerve entrapment, and compartment syndrome. However, hematomas in the Baker's cyst have not been reported in Korea. We report a rare case of hematoma in the Baker's cyst with subfascial extension into the calf. The hematoma was demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging and removed by mass excision.

Baker's cyst is a distension of the gastrocnemius-semimembranosus bursa of the knee, which communicates with the posterior portion of the joint capsule. Such a communication was found in 30% to 50% of cadaveric dissection1). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of Baker's cyst is seen in 4.7% to 19% of patients with symptoms of internal knee derangement2). Baker's cyst is commonly located in the inferomedial or superficial layers of the knee joint and rarely extends laterally or proximally3). Although most Baker's cysts present as an asymptomatic mass occurring directly below the popliteal fossa, they may cause clinical problems such as infection, thrombophlebitis, compartment syndrome, and entrapment neuropathy4,5). Rupture or dissection of the cyst causes extravasation of fluid into the calf, which can result in posterior compartment syndrome or infection5). However, hematomas in Baker's cyst have not yet been reported in Korea. Here, we report a rare case of hematoma in Baker's cyst with subfascial extension into the calf that was treated successfully with mass excision.

Case Report

An 81-year-old man with a major complaint of painful mass at the lower calf was referred to our institution. Pain and swelling in his left lower leg started to develop 2 weeks prior to his presentation to our clinic and progressively worsened, eventually rendering him unable to walk. While he denied any trauma to that leg, he had been taking aspirin 100 mg, amlodipine 5 mg, candesartan cilexetil 8 mg per day for 7 years to control his hypertension, and had a history of several times of injections in the left knee for 1 year because of osteoarthritis.

Physical examination showed severe calf swelling with tenderness; however, no local heat or redness was observed (Fig. 1). The patient's body temperature was 36.8℃, his dorsalis pedis artery and posterior tibial artery pulses were strong at the level of ankle and foot, and the neurological findings were normal. Knee joint line tenderness and 10° of flexion contracture were observed in the left knee. The left knee score was 51 points.

Fig. 1.

The photograph of both legs shows swelling without redness in the left calf. The arrow points to the left calf.

The patient's blood parameters were normal: white blood cell (WBC) was 8,450, C-reactive protein (CRP) was 0.49, and coagulation parameters and autoimmune parameters were normal. But platelet aggregation function assay was delayed. A plain X-ray of the left leg revealed Kellgren-Lawrence grade 4 osteoarthritis of the knee joint and increased soft tissue density along the medial aspect of the proximal lower leg (Fig. 2). Computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed a large mass along the subfascial layer in the medial aspect of the gastrocnemius, and no evidence of deep venous thrombosis. MRI revealed a large mass extending distally along the subfascia in the superficial aspect of the medial gastrocnemius with muscle compression. The mass measuring 13×5×3 cm showed a low-intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and an intermediate-high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. These MRI findings suggested the presence of a hematoma and the inhomogeneity in signal intensity was attributed to hemorrhage within the mass (Fig. 3). Before operation, we could not rule out the possibility that MRI did not reveal any opening or stalk for direct communication between the mass and joint cavity. Therefore, an open mass excision was performed.

Fig. 2.

Plain radiographs of the left leg show severe osteoarthritis of the knee joint and elongated soft tissue density along the medial aspect of the proximal lower leg.

Fig. 3.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the left knee. T2-weighted and T1-weighted sagittal images (A) and coronal images (B) show large cystic lesions extending distally along the subfascia in the superficial aspect of the medial gastrocnemius with muscle compression, (C) T2-weighted and T1-weighted axial images.

With the patient in the supine position under spinal anesthesia, a longitudinal skin incision was made along the medial side of the left calf. The mass was located along the subfascia in the superficial aspect of medial gastrocnemius and dark brown blood clots suggesting a hematoma was noted within the mass. During detachment from the surrounding tissues, communication between the mass and the knee joint was detected. After removal of the mass, communication with the joint cavity was repaired. The gram stain and bacterial culture of the aspirate, acid-fast, fungal staining, and culture were negative.

Histopathological examination showed that the hematoma was surrounded by synovial membrane and was composed of thick fibrous tissue; it also contained macrophages that had phagocytosed red blood cells and hemosiderin (Fig. 4). The pathologic diagnosis was hematoma in the Baker's cyst.

Fig. 4.

Photomicrographs of the hematoma in the Baker's cyst showing macrophages consisting of phagocytosed red blood cells and hemosiderin. (A) Low-power view of the hematoma in the Baker's cyst (H&E, ×40). (B) High-power view of the hematoma in the Baker's cyst (H&E, ×100).

The patient was followed up until 2 weeks after surgery when his symptom was relieved.

Discussion

Enlargement of the gastrocnemius-semimembranosus bursa is known as a Baker's cyst1,4). The cyst can be formed from an inter-communication between the knee joint and the bursa, and, in some cases, is associated with an intra-articular pathology of the knee, such as meniscal tears, trauma, surgery, oeteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or any other forms of synovitis6,7). Non-communicating cysts, however, often have no associated knee pathology and are thought to be primary enlargements of the gastrocnemius-semimembranosus bursa1,4).

Although the chief complaint in most cases of Baker's cysts is an asymptomatic mass, it is common for patients to experience swelling, pain, or stiffness of the knee, often aggravated by walking. Other symptoms include bulging and tightness in the popliteal area1).

Weakened fascia surrounding the muscle could potentially predispose to cystic dissection into the intramuscular planes. Rarely, ruptured intramuscular Baker's cyst may cause compressive neuropathy of the posterior tibial nerve. While complications associated with Baker's cysts include dissection, rupture, pseudothrombophlebitis, leg ischemia, nerve entrapment, and compartment syndrome8), hematoma is an uncommon complication.

Ultrasonography will readily reveal a cystic structure in the popliteal fossa. Venography should only be performed if deep venous thrombosis is suspected. Computerized axial tomography and MRI can more effectively outline the cyst and also allow assessment of rupture of the cyst, hemorrhagic transformation, and accompanying pyomyositis or osteomyelitis7). Recently, MRI has become the preferred non-invasive diagnostic tool that provides high quality images for accurate assessment of the affected intraarticular structures and lesions, and cyst location9).

In general, MRI findings of Baker's cysts include a low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, yet a high signal intensity on T2-weighted images due to the fluid component of the Baker's cyst2). However, the MRI of this case showed a low-intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and an intermediate-high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, suggesting the presence of a hematoma. Following excision biopsy, communication between the mass and the knee joint was detected and a hematoma was found, which led to the final diagnosis of Baker's cyst.

In this report, we presented a rare case of Baker's cyst that was accompanied by hematoma causing abrupt pain and swelling in the lower extremity. This case is rare in that the MRI findings were unusual and the lower-extremity pain and swelling developed in a patient with osteoarthritis and Baker's cyst after intraarticular injections. Hematoma can be confused clinically with deep venous thrombosis or cellulitis10). CTA and laboratory tests would be helpful for differential diagnosis.

Therefore, we believe that meticulous physical, radiological, and medical history examinations need to be carried out for exact diagnosis. We believe that this study may assist clinicians in making a proper diagnosis and administering correct treatment.