A hygroma is a small cyst that forms in the tissues of the body. It is considered an occupational disease. The reasons for the formation of hygromas are not fully understood. However, experts make assumptions about the hereditary nature and connection with repeated traumatization. Conservative therapy in this case is not very effective, surgery is required.
General information
Hygroma is a cystic formation of a benign nature, consisting of a dense connective tissue wall and viscous contents. The latter outwardly resembles a transparent jelly, and in nature it is a serous liquid with mucus impurities. Hygromas are directly related to the joints and localized next to them.
Pathology does not differ in age restrictions, therefore it can be diagnosed both in an adult and in a child. It occurs quite often and focuses mainly on the wrist, knee, and hand. The back of the head is considered the most dangerous place of localization, in which case the probability of death increases.
A cystic neoplasm develops as a result of the transformation of the areasynovial membrane of the joint and is a small bump of a round shape, ranging in size from a few millimeters to seven centimeters.
Hygroma is a pathology belonging to the group of joint diseases. The cystic formation may disappear periodically. In such cases, a misleading impression may be created that it has resolved itself, but after a while the problem reappears. That is why the hygroma should not be ignored. In each case, qualified assistance from specialists is required.
Hygroma: reasons for education
The root cause of the development of pathology is considered to be the transformation of areas of connective tissue. As a result, two types of cells appear: spindle-shaped (form a capsule) and spherical (filled with fluid, which subsequently penetrates into the intercellular space).
The exact cause of this problem is unknown. Doctors identify a number of factors contributing to its development:
- Hereditary predisposition.
- Frequent joint injury.
- Decreased/increased intrauterine activity.
- Sprain.
- Constant load on the joint (most often, pathology is diagnosed in those people whose professional activities are directly related to working at a computer, playing musical instruments).
In the fair sex, such cystic neoplasms are three times more common than in men. The vast majority of cases of their occurrence occur at a young age. Hygroma in children and the elderlydiagnosed very rarely.
Clinical picture
Initially, a small tumor begins to develop in the joint area, clearly visible under the skin. Usually there are solitary hygromas. In some cases, the simultaneous formation of several pathologies at once is possible.
There are both completely elastic and solid formations of a benign nature. In all cases, they have clear boundaries, and the base is inextricably linked with the adjacent tissues. The skin moves freely. What a hygroma looks like (photo) can be found in specialized medical reference books.
When pressure is applied to the affected area, pain discomfort occurs. The skin over the hygroma may remain unchanged or acquire a purple hue, peel off. After exercise, the pathology increases in size, and then at rest decreases again. Approximately 35% of cases are asymptomatic.
If the above symptoms appear, it is recommended to seek medical advice. At the appointment, the doctor will tell you what a hygroma is, determine the cause of its occurrence and prescribe the appropriate therapy.
How is pathology different in children?
The clinical picture in young patients directly depends on the location of the formation and its size. Hygromas of small diameter can develop over several years and do not cause discomfort. In the event of an exacerbation of the pathology, hyperemia may appear in its place. The formation itself outwardly resembles a tumor that is in a stationary state. Atpalpation does not cause pain, the temperature does not exceed the norm.
Hygroma may be chronic, when exacerbation is replaced by periods of remission. Experts identify several symptoms that parents should see a doctor immediately if they appear:
- The presence of round formations on the skin up to 5 cm in diameter. Most often this is a hygroma. Photos of patients with this pathology are presented in this article.
- When moving the joint, painful discomfort of varying intensity appears.
- The skin around the tumor turns purple, a slight swelling appears.
Hygroma is a serious pathology that requires competent and timely treatment. Do not press on the formation or wait until it resolves on its own.
What are hygromas?
Specialists distinguish two types of hygromas: single-chamber and multi-chamber.
According to the place of localization, the following types of formations are distinguished:
- Hygroma of the wrist. Accompanied by severe pain, interferes with the normal functioning of the joints, requires immediate removal.
- Hygroma of the wrist joint. Perfectly visible from under the skin, sometimes localized under the ligaments. A neoplasm in this area is usually not accompanied by a vivid clinical picture.
- Pathology of the joint. The main cause of such a problem is thinning or damage to the joints. To the touch, the pathology is elastic. When it is detected, it is recommended to provide the hand with complete rest, otherwise the tumor will increase in size.sizes.
- Hygroma on the fingers. Gives a person a lot of inconvenience, causes severe pain under pressure. Over time, the pathology may increase in size.
- Hygroma of the foot. Localized in the ankle or on the outside of the phalangeal bones. Accompanied by pain discomfort when moving. The formation can be easily injured by tight shoes, so it is recommended that it be surgically removed immediately.
- Hygroma of the knee joint. The tumor develops due to the accumulation of fluid directly in the cavity of the synovial bag. The risk group includes athletes, as well as people who spend a lot of time on their feet (couriers, postmen, sellers).
- Education under the knee.
- Tendon pathology. The tumor occurs against the background of bursitis.
- Hygroma of the brain.
- Education on the neck. It is diagnosed mainly in newborns. The tumor consists of several cysts.
Diagnostic measures
Treatment of hygroma with folk remedies is highly effective. You can resort to his help only after consulting with your doctor and the final diagnosis. Moreover, doctors recommend using alternative medicine only as an addition to the main course of treatment.
Usually, pathology is confirmed on the basis of anamnesis and a characteristic clinical picture. To exclude osteoarticular diseases, the doctor may prescribe an x-ray. In doubtful cases, the patient is sent for ultrasound, MRI and puncturehygromas (fluid sampling from the formation).
Ultrasound examination allows not only to examine the cyst itself, but also to assess its structure, to determine the presence of blood vessels in the walls.
If nodules are suspected, the patient may be sent for an MRI. This study allows you to accurately determine the structure of the tumor and its contents. The disadvantage of the technique is the relatively high cost.
Differential diagnosis is carried out with other neoplasms of a benign nature (lipomas, atheromas, etc.), taking into account the localization, consistency of the tumor and patient complaints.
Conservative Therapy
Treatment of pathology directly depends on its localization. You should not neglect your own he alth, because in addition to aesthetic discomfort, education can significantly worsen the quality of life. For example, if the tumor is localized in the foot area, it is quite difficult for a person to fully move around. Hygroma of the knee joint usually does not cause any special problems, but it can constantly increase in size.
Conservative treatment is recommended only at the initial stage of pathology development and includes the following activities:
- X-ray therapy.
- Physiotherapy.
- Punctures (suction of the contents of the formation with a special syringe with the simultaneous administration of drugs that promote rapid healing).
- Blockade with glucocorticoids (the procedure is similar to a puncture, but in this case other drugs are used).
- Immobilized with an orthopedic bandage for seven days.
Conservative therapy can only be effective if the affected joint is rested. If the treatment of hygroma without surgery did not help, the specialist decides on surgical intervention.
Surgical method
If the tumor rapidly increases in size, accompanied by severe pain, the patient is recommended surgery. Currently, there are several options for deleting an existing education:
- Bursectomy - excision of the so-called synovial bag. The operation is performed using a local version of anesthesia. For a couple of weeks, the limb is firmly fixed with a plaster cast for complete immobilization. The likelihood of relapse after such treatment is almost zero. The main thing with bursectomy is the excision of the entire synovial sac. Otherwise, the likelihood increases that after a while the hygroma will grow again. The operation requires a highly qualified specialist, because with the wrong movement, you can injure blood vessels and nerves, disrupt the motor functionality of the limb.
- Laser therapy. The tumor is gradually heated with a laser beam until its final disappearance. This procedure has many advantages, including: low trauma, no postoperative scarring, rapid wound healing.
Treatment of hygroma with folk remedies
Therapy for cystic formationwith the help of our grandmothers' recipes, it is quite popular, and in some cases even effective.
- Mix bee honey, rye flour and the fleshy part of aloe in equal proportions until a mushy consistency is obtained. Such a cake should be applied to the affected area for the whole night, covering it with cling film.
- Dissolve 2-3 tablespoons of s alt in one glass of water. Add red clay to the resulting mixture in such a volume that a creamy mass is obtained. The tumor should be lubricated with a thick layer of mass and wrapped with a bandage each time. Such a compress must be worn throughout the day, periodically moisturizing with water.
- From 200 g of crushed celandine, squeeze the juice, blot gauze with it and apply to the affected area. After that, cover it with cling film and leave overnight. It is recommended to repeat this procedure every three days.
Possible Complications
Hygroma is a pathology that very rarely leads to complications, but the likelihood of their occurrence increases with the following conditions:
- Tendovaginitis of a purulent nature.
- Infection during surgery (use of non-sterile instruments, low qualification of a specialist).
- Tumor recurrence.
Complications are often observed due to the use of a general variant of anesthesia. Therefore, the patient is carefully examined before the operation.
Preventive measures
If this pathology in a child is hereditary oris formed during fetal development (for example, fetal hygroma), it is not possible to prevent it.
For adult patients, doctors highlight several preventive recommendations that help prevent the appearance of cystic formation:
- Physical activity should be distributed symmetrically on the joints.
- When doing intense sports, it is necessary to use elastic bandages to permanently fix the joints.
- In case of injuries and mechanical damage, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
Conclusion
What is a hygroma? This is a tumor that is benign in nature and localized in the area of \u200b\u200bthe joints. Outwardly, it resembles a ball of small diameter. You can not be afraid that the hygroma will degenerate into cancer, but you should not leave it unattended either. In addition to aesthetic discomfort, pathology can make work or movement difficult. That is why the tumor should be treated conservatively or removed surgically. With timely therapy, one can hope for a favorable prognosis and restoration of labor activity.
