October 2019

Cystic mass at the AC joint

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Clinical information

Two elderly patients examined for SONOZORG a primary care ultrasound facility. Both patients have a lump at the AC joint.

Ultrasound Images & Clips

cystic mass at the AC joint

Cyst with some synovial proliferations

Another image of the cyst

There is no flow in the cyst

Another image of the AC joint

This is the AC joint of the second patient

Another image of the AC joint

There is no flow in the cyst

This is the AC joint on the other side of the same patient

This is an example of a geyser sign in a patient with a complete absent of the rotator cuff

This is the X ray of the same patient

Conclusion

The lump is caused by a cyst in case of AC arthrosis. These cysts must be differentiated from the geyser sign a fluid collection at the AC joint in patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear that leads to instability of the humerus in the glenohumeral joint. Eventually, chronic impaction from the humeral head disrupts the inferior acromioclavicular (AC) joint capsule, and glenohumeral joint fluid "erupts" superiorly through the AC interval into the subdeltoid bursa and to the AC joint.

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Author

Dr. Taco Geertsma

Retired Radiologist, Gelderse Vallei Hospital

Dr. Taco Geertsma is the founder of UltrasoundCases.info and a retired radiologist and has worked in the Gelderse Vallei hospital from January 1, 1983. till July 1, 2014. He was the head of the ultrasound department for many years.

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