Synovial cyst of the intercondylar fossa of the knee: three symptomatic cases and a review of the literature

Synovial cyst of the intercondylar fossa of the knee or cyst of the "cruciate tentorium" is an uncommon finding. Most of the reports in the literature were made after the advent of magnetic resonance imaging. Most cysts are asymptomatic and discovered fortuitously. We report our experience with three cases of symptomatic cysts, describing the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches used. Clinical manifestations of symptomatic cysts are variable and non-specific. Pain is commonly observed with limitation of knee amplitudes. If their is no other suspected meniscal or osteochondral disease after clinical and MRI assessment, surgical treatment is only indicated in case of functional impairment. Medical care may be sufficient in certain cases, associating puncture and infiltration. In others surgical treatment, generally via an arthroscopic approach, is needed.