- Diff Dx:
- synovial cysts (Baker's)
- arterial and venous aneurysms
- thrombophlebitis
- adventitial cysts of artery
-
popliteal artery aneurysm;
- benign and malignant neoplasms
-
rhabdomyosarcoma:
-
pigmented villonodular synovitis:
-
synovial hemangioma;
- Discussion:
- synovial cysts can arise from capsule of knee joint or
semimembranous and medial gastrocnemius bursae;
- these cysts are commonly assoc w/ RA or meniscal tears;
- Baker's cysts are usually located at or below joint line, whereas cysts of semimembranous bursa are above the joint line;
- although usually asymptomatic, synovial cysts of popliteal space can compress popliteal vein and cause symptoms suggestive of
DVT;
Popliteal Sarcomas: Presentation, Prognosis, and Limb Salvage. 
