Een drukpijnlijke zwelling aan de binnenzijde van de pols

Background

An adventitial cyst of the radial artery is rare; only 14 cases have yet been reported worldwide, but the condition is probably under-diagnosed. It mostly occurs between the ages of 40 and 50 years. The aetiology is still unknown.

Case description

A 56-year-old man had a swelling on the volar side of his right wrist, which was painful when pressure was applied. Ultrasound examination was performed as a pseudoaneurysm was suspected; this seemed to reveal an adventitial cyst of the radial artery. Following surgical resection this diagnosis was confirmed on histopathological examination.

Conclusion

When a patient presents with a painful swelling on the volar side of the wrist differential diagnosis should include a ganglion, a pseudoaneurysm or an adventitial cyst. Adventitial cysts can disappear spontaneously. When symptoms are severe or persistent, surgical resection is the preferred therapy.

Conflict of interest: none declared. Financial support: none declared.