Hi,

Since your ganglion cyst is causing you discomfort/pain, you may want to consider having needle aspiration of it. Some doctors will take a syringe and insert it into the cyst and withdraw the substance. It could return and you may have to repeat the procedure. Very simple procedure and should not interfere with the RSD. Surgical removal is also an option but I would speak to your RSD doctor before undergoing surgical removal since you have RSD.

Different docs have different views on ganglion cysts and on the best procedure to eliminate them when necessary. In many cases, they do not wish to do anything about them.

I heard of someone that underwent a different procedure. Their doctor did not withdraw the substance of the cyst but instead attempted to "explode" it to dissipate it. I would NOT recommend that for anyone but especially NOT for anyone with RSD.

My ganglion of 35 years spontaneously exploded in the middle of the night while I was sleeping and it was very painful. I did not know what had happened. I just woke with a sudden and severe pain and my entire hand was extremely swollen. Not knowing the ganglion had exploded, my doctor sent me for an MRI of my hand. It wasn't until all the swelling was gone that I realized that my ganglion was now the size of a tiny pea instead of the large marble that previously inhabited my wrist.

A doctor "may" order an ultrasound, x-ray, or MRI if there is any question about the involvement of the ganglion with other tissues and joints in the wrist. To have any type of imaging done is not usually necessary.

The only reason I was sent for an MRI was to determine the reason my hand was so extensively swollen and painful because I had no idea my ganglion had exploded spontaneously. (neither did my doc) I never mentioned my ganglion cyst to my doctor at the time. My hand was so swollen, no one, including me, could even see if I had a ganglion or not with the extensive swelling.

I also had one disappear all on its own without incident. It came, it went, and there was no event associated with it.