Hygroma in the child

Hygroma in a child (from Hydros - "wet", oma - "tumor") is a benign neoplasm of a round or irregular shape 0.5-3 cm in diameter, of a dense consistency that occurs from the synovial membrane of the joint or tendon. Often in medicine, another term is used - "ganglion" (from ganglion - "knot").

The tumor externally resembles a pronounced capsule with a viscous gelatinous transparent content inside. The shells of the joint protrude between the surrounding tendons and ligaments, forming a subcutaneous formation, which can have both soft and firm consistency.

In other words, the hygroma can be represented as a fluid accumulation in the synovial joint bag. This disease has no age limitations and is quite common in children. It should be noted that his benign course almost never develops into a malignant one. Usually, the hygroma does not cause severe pain in children, but pain can appear when the amplitude of joint movements is limited.

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The causes of hygroma in the child

Hygroma (ganglion) in children is quite common. Very often the disease occurs without any known causes and is usually localized in the wrist, hands, knee joint, foot, neck, less often in the brain. The most common in children is the hygroma of the wrist or knee joint. The most dangerous is the localization of the cyst on the nape of the child, in which case a fatal outcome is possible.

Among the predisposing factors of the development of hygroma in children, one can identify pathological processes occurring in connective tissue structures of the joint, various injuries of the limbs, or excessive physical stresses that negatively affect the health of children.

The main causes of hygroma in a child are its reduced activity or, conversely, too high mobility. Other reasons? All possible injuries of the joints, as well as stretching of the tendons and ligaments in the exercise of various physical exertions, prolonged physical activity of the child.

Hygroma in a child can occur both during the period of uterine and post-uterine development. Usually, such tumor formation is removed under general anesthesia (provided that the age of the child is less than 10 years), as well as under local anesthesia.

Symptoms of hygroma in a child

Usually, the baby's hygroma for a long time does not cause any anxiety or strong pain. Parents simply find a small seal on a specific area of the baby's skin. The development of the tumor can last several months and even years, it grows and gradually increases in size. After a while, this leads to increased discomfort and pain, especially with physical exertion. First of all, these signs are associated with a decrease in the amplitude of the movements of the joints, where a hygroma is found, as well as the "neighborhood" of the tumor with nerves.

What are the main symptoms of hygroma in a child? The tumor can be palpated, it resembles an elastic, inactive ball with an even surface, the base of which is securely attached to skeletal bones or nearby tissues. Most often, such a tumor is single, but sometimes the baby's hygroma manifests itself in the form of "rice bodies" with pronounced fluctuations and high mobility. At palpation such a tumor at first does not cause pain. Also, the child does not have a fever. However, as the hygroma develops, some important changes can be identified:

• the growth of rounded formations, reaching 6 centimeters in diameter; 
• soft elasticity and smoothness of the surface of neoplasms (in most cases); 
• with a strong squeezing of the tumor or movements in the joint, a drawing pain is formed; sometimes irradiating or dull pain may occur in children, especially after active physical exertion (for example, moving games, physical education lessons, etc.); 
• thickening and roughness of the skin over the hygroma; 
• redness of the skin in the inflammatory process (hyperemia).

It should be noted that hygromes manifest themselves in the form of soft and elastic to the touch of tumors, and solid tumor-like formations. However, in those cases, and in other cases, there is a clear restriction by gigrom. Moreover, the skin above the tumor is almost always freely displaced. As a result of active movements of the child, the hygroma can grow in size, and then, at rest, again acquire its original appearance.

Unfortunately, independent reduction and complete resorption by gigrom is impossible. Basically, their treatment requires surgical intervention. However, in this case it is necessary to note an important positive factor: such tumors never develop into malignant formations.

Hygroma on the hand of a child

Hygroma in a child can occur on different parts of the body, most often on the arm or leg. In many cases, placement of the hygroma on the back of the hand is noted. It is a densified formation that results from the filling of some tissues with liquid. Such a tumor most often develops from the bag of the joint, less often from the tendons. Pediatrics has no clear explanations for the causes of such neoplasms in children. The tumor can be the result of untreated hand injury, inflammation of the joint, systematic physical exertion, as well as hereditary predisposition.

Hygroma on the hand of the child is mainly localized on the palmar or the back of the wrist. It is inherently a cyst with a cavity containing a gelatinous mass. Over time, this mass accumulates, forming a seal that can be easily felt when pressed. Sometimes there is a hygroma on the flexor muscles of the child's fingers (finger hygroma).

By its nature, the child's hygroma differs from other tumorous formations - atheromas, lipomas, fibromas, and never develops into a malignant form. Quite often there is the appearance of cyst-like cones in the region of the wrist joint of the child. As a rule, this process is due to a fracture, frequent strokes or dislocation of the radius, and also as a result of improper treatment of injuries of this kind.

In any case, when a hygroma is found on the child's hand, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor in order to start treatment of the disease in a timely manner.

Hygroma wrist in a child

Suddenly, the wrist hygroma developed in the child does not initially have any painful sensations, but it interferes with the full functioning of the joints and in the future, with strong physical exertion or systematic wrist flexion, can cause severe pain. This is due to the violation of flexion and extensor movements, as a result of which the child can not lead a habitual way of life for him. That is why such a tumor, resembling a cystic formation, most often requires immediate surgical intervention.

The cause of the appearance of hygroma of the wrist joint in a child can become monotonous movements or overstrain of the muscle groups of the hand. Often children who play violin or pianos, spend a lot of time at the computer, etc., suffer from such hygroma.

Hygroma in the child, which appeared on the wrist, looks like a tumor, which reaches several centimeters in diameter. Dangerous are those cases when the hygroma is located in the region of the radial artery - in the carpal joint under the palm. This complicates the process of surgical intervention because of the radial artery, which can not be damaged. If the operation is carried out inaccurately, the child is injured by an artery injury, which subsequently leads to a violation of the blood supply to the hand.

Hygroma on the foot of a child

Hygroma on the leg in a child can occur both in the knee area, most often - under the knee, and in other areas. In medicine, it is not uncommon for cases when a tumor is located in the region of the ankle joint. It should be noted that such cone-shaped seals are very painful, and this, in turn, affects the activity and mobility of children. As the hygroma develops on the leg, the child often complains of pain while moving, and this should immediately alert his parents. Without medical assistance in this case can not do.

Hygroma in the child, localized on the leg, is mainly manifested due to heavy loads, as well as systematic injuries to the tendons or joints of the leg. For example, the knee tumor progresses quickly enough and in the future can lead to a number of complications. It is caused by the accumulation of excess fluid in the cavities of the synovial bag as a result of an injury to the knee joint or its overstrain. The poplite hygroma in a child is caused by muscle congestion and interferes with the flexural movements of the foot. As a result, the child is increasingly difficult to walk, so such a tumor requires immediate surgical intervention, i.e. Removal.

As for the hygroma of the child's foot, its localization is connected with the ankle joint. A tumor can also develop on the back of the plyus-phalanx bones. At the very beginning, there is an appearance on the foot of a bulging seal of small dimensions. It does not cause the child pain, but in the absence of timely treatment can reach a very impressive size. Naturally, this progression of the hygroma provokes squeezing of nearby vessels and nerves located in the foot, and leads to the appearance of a pronounced pain syndrome in the child. The pain is greatly enhanced with various physical exertion, the wearing of uncomfortable shoes, additional leg injuries. If the hygroma is damaged, it can lead to a severe inflammation of the muscle tissue. It is for this reason that the hygroma should be removed before the onset of its pathological course.

Hygroma of the foot in the child

Often, active games cause various injuries in children, in particular, severe bruises, dislocations of the foot or fingers. As a result of such injuries, a baby's hygroma can occur. Predominantly, such a tumor develops from the back of the phalanal bones or in the ankle region. It develops very quickly, while giving the child inconvenience while walking.

With the hygroma of the foot, an acute pain syndrome is associated, since the tumor is localized near the nerve endings. The child complains of pain and refuses to wear shoes. In addition, in such a case, there is a risk of injury during the wearing of tight shoes: the tumor increases and provokes the movement of blood vessels and nerve endings. Injury to the hygroma of the foot leads to the development of the inflammatory process, so the tumor must be removed as soon as possible, otherwise the pathological exacerbation of the disease is possible.

Hygroma in the child, which occurs in the foot, is treated conservatively and with the help of a surgical procedure. The first method of treatment is to crush the hygroma or to pump out its puncture. It is noted by recurrent manifestations of the disease due to the complete preservation of the capsule, which produces the synovial fluid. Surgical treatment of hygroma of the foot includes excision or laser removal of the tumor. A successful operation aimed at complete excision of the gigroma capsule significantly reduces the number of recurrent manifestations.

Pediatricians do not recommend treating a hygroma in a child at home. Indications for complete removal of the tumor are such factors as cosmetic defect, rapid growth of the tumor, a feeling of inconvenience and severe pain, development of complications in the form of suppuration, edema and inflammation.

Hygroma of the knee joint in children

The hygroma of the knee joint in children in most cases develops due to the accumulation in the synovial bag of the joint of the tumor fluid. Among the reasons for the development of the tumor can be identified trauma in the knee, constant tension and strain on the joint due to excessively active movements of the child.

Symptoms of the hygroma of the knee joint in the child, in the first place, can be visual changes. Almost always in the region of the patella of the child there is a globular compaction of different diameters, which is a fluid accumulation. The child thus does not test any painful sensations, and sometimes even does not notice development of a tumor. However, with strong physical exertion on the knees, and excessive mobility, the child may experience pain.

Modern medicine offers several methods of treating hygromas of the knee joint in children. At the initial stage of the development of the disease, you can apply various massage practices using herbs as well as UHF therapy. In general, these methods of treatment are quite effective, but there is a risk of relapse. Therefore, surgical intervention is a more reliable method for getting rid of a disease such as a baby's hygroma.

Hygroma under the knee of a child

Hygroma in a child is a kind of cystic formation that suddenly arises in different parts of the body, including on the foot, viz. Under the knee. In modern medicine, such a tumor is called "Becker's cyst".

Visually, the hygroma under the knee of the child manifests itself in the form of a dense subcutaneous pineal gland located in the upper part of the popliteal fossa. For such a tumor is characterized by a slight displacement of the bulge in the inner side of the knee. As a rule, the occurrence of a Becker cyst in a child is not associated with any specific knee joint disease. Most likely, the development of this pathology is provoked by physical stress, as well as excessive mobility of the child, or a knee injury. However, the exact causes of this disease, medicine at this time is not known.

The localization of the tumor under the knee causes a number of negative symptoms in the child, primarily,? Compression of the neurovascular bundle, resulting in manifestations of trophic disorders, pain, paresthesia. In addition, cosmetic defects occur, and if the disease is started, complications in the form of inflammation of the joints are possible. Therefore, at the first detection of the hygroma under the knee, the child should consult a doctor with a view to deciding on further treatment.

Hypertension of popliteal fossa in child

Hygroma in a child often occurs in the popliteal fossa. Such a tumor is called "Becker's cyst" in medicine. It is a dense tumor-like growth that is located in the upper part of the popliteal fossa, with a slight displacement inward. The Becker cyst is directly connected to the cavity of the knee joint and contains the joint fluid. In children, as a rule, there is no correlation between the occurrence of the popliteal fossa hygroma and the presence of any disease of the knee joint. This feature is generally seen in adults.

In effective treatment of Becker's cysts, dynamic observation is the determining factor in children. Especially this applies to young children, because their level of spontaneous disappearance of the tumor is much higher. With the goal of a successful outcome of treatment, parents should take care to exclude all kinds of loads on the injured limb of the child, including sports.

The hygroma of the popliteal fossa in a child is treated by surgical intervention in those cases when the cyst increases in size or retains its parameters after 2-3 years. Parents of the child should be aware of the risk of possible recurrent manifestations, and consequently,? The need for reoperative surgery.

Surgical treatment of the hyposoma of the popliteal fossa consists in the separation of the cyst, its complete emptying of the contents. When the tumor is connected to the joint cavity, the plastic-duplicate gate of the cyst is performed.

Diagnosis of hygroma in the child

Hygroma in a child has a pronounced subject character, so its diagnosis is not particularly difficult and the use of any special studies. This especially applies to tumors that hide directly beneath the surface of the skin. If the neoplasm is localized deeper, an X-ray photograph may be needed.

However, in medical practice, there are cases when the diagnosis of a hygroma in a child is not carried out correctly. There are inaccuracies in their definition. Often, such seals are confused with abscesses, aneurysms, other tumors, both benign and malignant. Typical localization of hygroma allows you to establish a diagnosis clinically, taking into account complaints and medical examination of the child with a thorough palpation of the tumor.

If it is necessary to further investigate the origin of the tumor (in the complicated case of its localization), the following diagnostic actions are performed: •

• X-ray examination; 
• Ultrasound of the tumor and surrounding soft tissues, 
• puncture of the neoplasm, including the collection of material for the purpose of further histological examination.

Hygroma in a child has an external resemblance to atheroma and lipoma. The final diagnosis is based on the history and clinical signs of the disease. To exclude osteoarticular pathology, the child is prescribed radiography. Ultrasound examination helps not only to visually reveal the cyst, but also to evaluate its structure, to determine the presence in its wall of blood vessels and nerve endings. Diagnostics with the help of ultrasound has advantages in the form of simplicity of procedure, accessibility, informativity and low cost.

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Treatment of hygroma in children

Treatment of hygroma in children, first of all, is associated with the need to avoid manifestations of relapses of the disease. The most effective in our time is operative treatment of a tumor, which includes complete excision of the ganglion and treatment of its membranes with a laser. Carrying out such an operation guarantees no relapse to the full extent.

Surgery for excising hygroma is carried out under local anesthesia and takes an average of no more than half an hour. Sutures to the child are removed after about a week. If the child's hygroma is characterized by a large size and complicated localization, it is recommended to perform a surgical operation under general anesthesia, especially if the child is not yet 10 years old.

Conservative treatment is acceptable if the hygroma is small in size. Among the most effective methods of treatment can be identified: 

• mud treatment; 
• ultraviolet irradiation; 
• paraffin applications; 
• electrophoresis.

In the 19th century. The so-called method of "crushing" the hygroma was widely practiced, followed by the suction of its contents and the introduction of various kinds of fluids (in particular, hormones, iodine solution, enzymes) into the cavity. However, the main drawback of this method of treatment was considered to be a huge number of recurrent manifestations, i.e. Repeated occurrences of gigrom in the same place.

Modern medicine offers new technologies in treating gigrom in children, with the least blood loss. With the help of special medical equipment, the operation is performed through a small puncture in the skin and lasts no more than 20 minutes. Thus, after 3 hours after the excision of the ganglion, the child can leave the medical facility.

Alternative medicine offers many different ways to get rid of this kind of tumors in children. Below are some of them.

• Treatment with a copper plate. A small plate of copper is calcined on fire, washed in saline solution and applied to the tumor for three days with the help of careful bandaging. At the end of this time, the procedure is repeated. 
• Aloe cake with honey. Dough is mixed with rye flour in the form of a flat cake with honey and juice of medicinal aloe. Cake should be applied to the sick place of the child at night, covered with cellophane and tied with a downy kerchief or a warm towel. 
• Cabbage. Cabbage leaf is smeared with honey and applied to the gigroma at night in the form of a compress. Before eating, the child is given juice from fresh white cabbage (a glass a day). The course of such treatment is a month.

In alternative medicine in the treatment of hygroma, the child uses compresses in the form of pribintovannyh pieces of tea fungus and even the body of jellyfish. It is also recommended to put the baby alcohol sprays (70%) at night, properly wrapping the affected area with a warm towel.

Removal of hygroma in the child

Hygroma in a child is treated with both conservative methods and by removal. What kind of treatment to choose is determined by a medical specialist (traumatologist or orthopedist) upon examination, taking into account the child's age, the features of the course of the disease and other factors. Conservative treatment is only a temporary solution to the problem and does not provide the desired results. Characterized by a high percentage of relapses. Methods such as kneading and crushing gigrom, which were used by doctors in the past, have long outlived themselves. Despite the fact that in our time some clinics practice punctures, the introduction of sclerosing drugs into the cavity of the hygroma, therapeutic mud, physiotherapy, it is possible to conquer the disease only with the help of surgery.

With large neoplasms, only surgical intervention is shown, in the process of which a complete excision of the cyst occurs. The operation is recommended also in the event that the hygroma retains the original dimensions for 2-3 years. Removing the hygroma in a child is the most effective method of treatment, since it almost completely eliminates relapses.

During the operation, the hygroma capsule is excreted and removed as a whole, together with its contents. If the operation is performed qualitatively, then we can talk about a successful outcome of tumor treatment. However, one should remember the important point: if a degenerate tissue is left on the affected area after the operation, its cells will multiply, which will provoke a relapse. This occurs in 8-20% of cases.

Indications for the removal of hygroma in the child are also the following symptoms: 

• painful sensations when moving and at rest; 
• restriction of movements in the affected joint; 
• rapid development of the tumor; 
• unaesthetic appearance due to the large size of the lesion.

The main factor determining surgical intervention is the rapid growth of the hygroma. The fact is that excision of a large tumor is fraught with many difficulties, in particular its location next to ligaments, tendons, nerves. If the hygroma grows, its isolation will be more labor-intensive.

The operation to remove hygroma in young children is performed under general anesthesia, in older children (more than 10 years) - mainly under local anesthesia. When excising tumor-like education, special attention is paid to its foundation. The quality of the operation is also to inspect nearby tissues and remove small cysts. Then a thorough rinsing of the cavity is performed, the wound is sutured, draining with a rubber graduate. After the operation, the child is given a pressure bandage, and the seams are removed after about a week.

Modern medicine has an effective and more gentle method of performing surgery to remove hygroma in a child. This is an endoscopic removal of the tumor. Advantages of this method of treatment are a small incision and a small percentage of tissue traumatization.

Parents should remember that if the child's hygroma grows, then postpone the operation is not recommended. A large education will be more difficult to remove.

Prevention of hygroma in children

Prevention of hygroma in the child consists in choosing effective measures aimed at the optimal mode of life of the child, which would exclude injury to the joints, excessive activity and all kinds of loads on the limbs. Especially it concerns children who attend different sports sections. In such cases, the use of elastic tight bandages for bandaging tendons and joints is recommended. Excessive mobility, overloading of limbs in the course of prolonged active movements can become provoking factors for the development of hygroma. Optimization and proper distribution of physical activity - in fact, the most rational method of prevention gigrom.

Parents should pay attention to the child's shoes. It is preferable to wear comfortable, non-shackling shoes, from natural or quality "breathing" materials. Choosing the right clothes for the baby is also very important: it should not squeeze the body, but be comfortable and comfortable to wear.

So, the prevention of such a disease, as a child's hygroma, boils down to: 

• the optimal choice of clothes and shoes; 
• avoiding permanent injury of joints, tendons and tissues above them; 
• correct distribution of load on the limbs; 
• timely treatment of injuries and sprains.

Prognosis of hygroma in the child

In the past, the use of medical practices for the treatment of hygroma, mainly involving the crushing of the formation, the suction of its contents and the introduction of various fluids into the cavity, did not provide guarantees for the exclusion of relapses in the future. In 80% of cases the cyst was formed at the same place after a certain period of time.

Modern medicine emphasizes the need for complete removal of the hygroma, tk. This method of treating ganglion is the most effective and has no consequences in the form of recurrent manifestations. The prognosis of the hygroma in the child is most favorable, if the operation is carried out at a high level, qualitatively and on time. To date, the medicine uses the so-called endoscopic method of tumor removal, which has several advantages: the operation is carried out through a small puncture and is characterized by a lesser degree of trauma.

Hygroma in a child is a serious illness, so parents should treat him with all the presumptive responsibility, promptly showing the child to the doctor. There are practically no complications after surgical treatment of hygroma. It is possible to single out only the development of purulent tenosynovitis in the case of an unfavorable course of the operation.