Aspiration of a Ganglion
Topic Overview
A non-surgical method of treating a
ganglion is to drain the fluid from (aspirate) the
ganglion sac.
Your doctor can do this in the office using the
following procedure:
- The ganglion area is cleaned with an antiseptic
solution.
- A
local anesthetic is injected into the ganglion area to
numb the area.
- When the area is numb, the ganglion sac is punctured
with a sterile needle.
- The fluid is drawn out of the ganglion
sac.
- The ganglion collapses.
- A bandage and, in some
cases, a splint are used for a few days to limit movement and prevent the
ganglion sac from filling again.
Treating a ganglion by draining the fluid with a needle may not
work because the ganglion sac remains intact and can fill
again, causing the ganglion to return. For this reason, your doctor may puncture the sac with the needle 3 or 4 times so the
sac will collapse completely. Even then, the ganglion is likely to
come back.
Infection after draining the ganglion fluid is a
possible complication of this procedure.
Ganglions on the wrist may return in up to 9 out of 10 people using
non-surgical treatment, such as aspiration.1
References
Citations
- Greene WB (2001). Ganglia of the wrist and hand. In
Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, 2nd ed., pp.
261–263. Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Herbert von Schroeder, MD, MSc, FRCSC - Hand and Microvascular Surgery |
|---|
| Last Revised | October 15, 2012 |
|---|
Last Revised:
October 15, 2012
Greene WB (2001). Ganglia of the wrist and hand. In
Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, 2nd ed., pp.
261–263. Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons.
