Mucous Cysts, Retinacular cysts and Dupytren’s contracture – An overview

Mucous Cysts

Mucous Cysts are a common cause of finger masses, especially over the tiny finger joint that is closest to the tip. These cysts are a kind of ganglion cyst which generally arises due to an underlying arthritis of that particular joint. 

Aspirating the cyst is the initial treatment recommended. This should not be done by the patients or by inexperienced people. The cyst connects itself to the underlying joint; if an infection is likely to occur, it can spread to that joint, eventually resulting in a serious problem. It is crucial to understand that to remove the cyst permanently, the underlying joint should be addressed.  Mucous cyst excision is a procedure which has proven to be very successful.

Retinacular cysts

Tender masses which appear in the palm near the base of a finger are probably the retinacular cysts. These cysts are simply ganglion cysts coming from the finger’s flexor tendon sheath. The cysts often result in pain when the patient grips objects. Luckily, the cysts are benign and treated easily.

Aspiration is generally successful in the treatment of retinacular cysts. But, as for ganglion cysts in another place, as soon as a cyst recurs, further aspirations may not be the effective form of treatment. If there is a recurrence of a retinacular cyst following a successful aspiration, options are to either live with it or get it removed surgically. Surgery is a very quick outpatient procedure.

Dupytren’s contracture

Dupytren’s contracture is a genetic disorder wherein the fascia of the hand tends to contract, making it difficult for the fingers to extend fully. This condition occurs in people of Scandinavian ancestry. Treatment options include Xiaflex and Needle Aponeurotomy. 

Mucous Cysts - A Fluid-Filled Swelling on the Lips or Mouth

Our skin is prone to various conditions that cause lumps and bumps on the surface or just beneath the skin. A cyst is a formation of a sac-like pocket of tissue containing fluid, air, or other substances. It can develop almost in any part of your body on or beneath the skin. Cysts can be of different types including mucous, retinacular cysts etc and most of these are benign, or non-cancerous. Let us discuss the different types of cysts.

 Mucous cysts

Also known as a mucocoele, a mucous cyst is a fluid-filled bump that mainly occurs on the lip or in the mouth. The main reason of the development of cyst in the mouth is the mucus of the mouth’s salivary glands gets plugged. Most cysts grow on the lower lip but has all the possibility to occur anywhere within the oral cavity. Though most of the cysts are temporary and painless but can become permanent if they are not treated o time.

Pitiable dental health and hygiene, a habit of lip or cheek biting because of stress can increase the risk for developing mucous cysts.

Retinacular cysts

The occurrence of ganglion cyst in the flexor tendon sheath is known as a retinacular cyst. It is usually a tender mass that occurs in the palm by the base of a finger. The development of this cyst often causes pain when gripping objects.

Doctors determine whether you need treatment for the cyst development or not taking into account a number of factors. The factors include:

• the kind of cyst
• the spot of the cyst growth
• if it is causing pain or not
• whether the cyst is infectious 

Dupuytren's contracture is a skin condition that occurs due to the thickening of the fibrous tissue layer beneath the skin of the palm and fingers. Although it doesn’t cause pain, but the solidifying and tightening of this tough tissue can cause the fingers to bend (flex).