How to diagnose Ganglion Cyst
It is important to contact your doctor immediately if you notice any bump in your joint, even if you don’t experience any symptoms. Your doctor may recommend different physical exams to diagnose your ganglion cyst.
In most cases, your doctor may recommend using a syringe to remove some fluid from the ganglion cyst. This procedure is known as needle aspiration [3], and it is done to ensure thorough observation. Your healthcare provider may also recommend an ultrasound [4] to view the tissues in the joint. The pictures observed from ultrasound are produced from sound waves when they bounce off joint tissues. Ultrasound pictures help determine if the bump is solid or fluid-filled (cystic). They also help check if an artery or blood vessel is responsible for the lump. Your doctor may also recommend MRI to observe the cyst. A major disadvantage of MRIs is the cost, as it is an expensive procedure.