Talk:Ganglion cyst

description needed
This article could use some more description, such as answering whether these cysts are hard or soft and whether they are painful. I have something that looks very much like the cysyts shown in the accompanying photos but it's hard, which I would not expect from something filled with fluid, and it doesn't hurt (my instinct is that it's a bone spur). I will ask my doctor about it but I am surprised and disappointed this information is not available here. 165.91.64.241 (talk) 07:27, 23 November 2008 (UTC)RKH

I uploaded the image of a comparison image of a normal and a cyst-laden wrist. If this image is fine, I'll crop it to better frame the top of the wrists. THEBlunderbuss 00:29, May 11, 2005 (UTC)

Second picture
I dont think this adds anything to the page. I propose removing it!--Light current 04:47, 11 August 2006 (UTC)

Change in wording
The phrase "egg white" should be changed to "albumen", i will do so. justinphd 15:39, November 06, 2006 (UTC)

Is there a citation for ganglions not being caused by the fluid between the bones? I have just seen my doctor about one and he says that is the cause and showed me the info in his medical encyclopaedia (I think this was because they were asking us to do surveys and one asked about how much detail the doctor goes into your problem!) Also, is the required citation at the end for whacking it with a heavy book needed to back up the fact that the treatment is not recommended or that hitting you hand with a heavy book may cause some damage?! 195.137.95.81 14:33, 11 June 2007 (UTC)

Add Symptoms of Ganglion Cysts
Should we not add something about the symptoms of having a Ganglion Cyst? The fact that it causes numbness and pain in the hand and wrist and could be misdiagnosed as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome might be helpful. I personally had a cyst in my right wrist and the first diagnosis was possible Carpal Tunnel. But after feeling around on my wrist a bit, the cyst was located and was buried between the tendons of my wrist at the bend. Surgery was done to remove it and although it was not very apparent from the surface it was 3mm x 3mm in size. This is fairly large when wedged between two tendons/nerves. I have now started to experience the same symptoms 3 1/2 years later and am worried it is coming back. Numbness in the ring and pinky fingers and down that same side all the way to my wrist. Pain when doing anything strenuous with my right hand. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 167.239.199.44 (talk) 17:58, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

If a ganglion cycst is encroching on a nerve in the carpel tunnel, then you would still technically have had carpel tunnel syndrome, just it would have been caused by the cyst. Most cysts are asymptomatic although they can cause some discomfort especially when there is traction or weightbearing through the wrists. Hand numbness is a very rare symptom to be produced by a ganglion. I would probably leave it out to avoid confusion. Black_Dice —Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.13.9.174 (talk) 07:32, 12 September 2010 (UTC)

Stigmatize arm use?
What does that even mean? Does it mean what it sounds like, which would be utterly ridiculous? 124.190.154.40 (talk) 12:48, 24 December 2008 (UTC)

arm use is for wimps and communists! 205.145.64.64 (talk)

Ganglion cyst = synovial cyst ?
all in title --Grook Da Oger (talk) 15:19, 12 June 2010 (UTC)

Inconsistency that requires fixing
"Ganglion cyst" says "An outdated method of treating a ganglion cyst was to strike the lump with a large heavy book, causing the cyst to rupture and drain into the surrounding tissues. Since almost every home owned a Bible and it was often the largest book in the home, this is what was commonly used, which led to the nickname of "Bible bumps" or "Gideon's disease." Yet, "Ganglion cyst" claims that "[s]triking the ganglion cyst with a large tome is usually sufficient to rupture the cyst, and re-accumulation is uncommon". This needs fixing. — SMUconlaw (talk) 12:39, 23 January 2014 (UTC)

You are wrong - this is not at all inconsistent. The treatment is apparently effective but outmoded; it has gone out of fashion, that is all (so we are told). — Preceding unsigned comment added by 77.96.58.212 (talk) 22:59, 25 March 2015 (UTC)

Indirect Self-link
Under "Ganglion cyst" is written: "Synovial cysts, posttraumatic degeneration of connective tissue, and inflammation have been considered as the causes." Clicking on "synovial cysts" will effectively refresh the page.

Since this article is written under the assumption that ganglion cysts = synovial cysts, I believe one shouldn't be the cause of another.

Also, can any experts confirm they are the same? My brief googling tells me otherwise. Moomoocat (talk) 18:42, 10 October 2016 (UTC)

"Whom" tag
User:Jojhutton has stated that this is not a "fact"

"Trying to treat the lesion by hitting it with a book is discouraged."

Initially I assumed they were just joking. But now they have tagged it a second time. Yes no one recommends hitting these things with a book. It is an urban legend. A joke told in medical schools and on the internet based on some supposed historical accounts of it once being done.

No reputable source recommends hitting these things with a heavy book or bible. Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 10:58, 5 March 2018 (UTC)


 * Yes, but it isn't an 'urban legend'. When I was a teenager two of my older relatives attested to having had them removed by being bashed with a heavy book. Only today a friend recounted how a doctor had treated one simply by applying pressure until it burst and I have successfully done this to one on my foot which had been present for at least two years and rapidly dissipated after being squeezed. Book bashing many not be the recommended approach but it ids not urban legend and was carried out in the mid-late 20th century as a 'folk remedy'. Stub Mandrel (talk) 18:37, 24 November 2018 (UTC)
 * Have changed it to "The term "Bible cyst" (or "Bible bump") is derived from an urban legend or historical effort to hit the cyst with a Bible."
 * A primary source is not sufficient to support a treatment claim. Doc James  (talk · contribs · email) 20:30, 24 November 2018 (UTC)

Blunt force
Ah "We analyzed videos of patients attempting to disrupt their ganglion cysts of the wrist by blunt force on Youtube.com and surveyed them anonymously. Candidates were contacted through YouTube’s email server and given a link to an online questionnaire."

Not a basis for any recommendation. Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 18:27, 22 March 2020 (UTC)