The formation of abnormal synovial cysts in connection with the joints / by W. Morrant Baker.

  • William Morrant Baker
Date:
[1885]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The formation of abnormal synovial cysts in connection with the joints / by W. Morrant Baker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    “ The synovial membrane is much thickened, and in parts has orown over the upper portion of the femoral condyles. It is slightly pedunculated, the tufts of synovial membrane being well defined. The crucial ligaments are destroyed. There is do lipping or eburnation of the hones in any part, and the car- tilage, upon microscopic examination, does not appear to he fibrillated. “On the outer side of the spine of the tibia is a passage through which a probe can be passed downwards, backwards, and slightly inwards, through the posterior ligament, into a sac containing about four ounces of a thick curdy pus.” . . . “The cyst lies beneath the gastrocnemius muscle in the situa- tion of the popliteus. It is, I believe, the popliteus muscle, which itself has been gradually distended until all traces of muscular substance have disappeared.” . . . “ Near the outer edge of the plantaris, at the hack of the joint, is a well-marked hernia or pouch of the synovial membrane, which has protruded between the fibres of the ligamentum posticum.” Mr. Power comes to the conclusion that in this case the for- mation of the cyst in the leg was preceded by that of a hernia, of the synovial membrane of the knee-joint, and that “as the swelling increased in size its course was directed by the popliteus muscle.” In the second case, that of a girl, aet. 22 (under the care of Mr. Langton), “On the inner side of the leg, commencing at a point two inches below the inner condyle and extending down- wards for about six inches, was a fluctuating swelling. This swelling, the patient said, had existed for about six weeks, and was getting larger. The skin over it was normal. No com- munication could he defected between the swelling and the knee-joint. The swelling was punctured, and three ounces of puriform viscid fluid were drawn off. Three weeks later the swelling was again punctured, and an ounce of very viscid fluid was with difficulty removed.” (The preceding note was made by Mr. J. L. Hewer.) “The leg was amputated. Subsequent dissection showed that, as in the previous case, the joint was completely dis- organised.” . . . “The bones showed no signs of rheumatoid change, and no history of rheumatoid or other affection could be obtained from the patient. “ On the posterior surface of the joint two openings are visible. The one situated at. the back of the internal condyle, immediately above the inner head of the gastrocnemius, is large