No Difference in Reintervention at 1-Year Between Ultrasound-Guided versus Blind Dorsal Carpal Ganglion Aspiration.

Overview

PURPOSE: The purpose of this retrospective comparative study was to compare the efficacy of dorsal carpal ganglion aspiration in patients who underwent either "blind" (using surface anatomy alone) or ultrasound-guided (US-guided) aspiration. METHODS: Outcome measures were conducted during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic via telephone for a minimum of 12 months after aspiration, with efficacy defined by reintervention with either repeat aspiration or surgical excision. RESULTS: Data are reported for 141 patients (46 blind; 95 US-guided) at an average of 28 months (range, 12-55 months) from aspiration. Reintervention was not significantly different based on the mode of aspiration-26% and 24% for blind aspiration and US-guided, respectively. Patient-perceived recurrence was higher at 65% for the entire cohort. Patients who received steroid injection at the time of aspiration perceived lower rates of recurrence-44% versus 77% for patients who received a steroid injection and patients who did not, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study found no significant difference between blind or US-guided aspiration in reintervention at a minimum of 1-year follow-up. Patients who received steroids at the time of aspiration perceived lower rates of recurrence. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic III.