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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffIf your doctor suspects a ganglion cyst, these are some tests he or she may perform:
- Physical exam. Your doctor may apply pressure to the cyst to test for tenderness or discomfort.
- X-ray. Your doctor may also recommend an X-ray of the affected area to rule out other conditions, such as arthritis or a tumor.
- Aspiration. A ganglion cyst diagnosis may be confirmed by aspiration, a process in which your doctor uses a needle and syringe to draw out (aspirate) the fluid in the cyst. Fluid from a ganglion cyst will be thick, sticky, and clear or translucent.
- Other imaging tests. Your doctor may recommend ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to gain information on the cyst's size, shape and depth. MRI or ultrasound may also be used if your doctor suspects a ganglion cyst due to pain or tenderness, but the telltale swelling isn't visible in a physical exam. In this case, an MRI or ultrasound can help locate and diagnose the "hidden" ganglion cyst (occult ganglion).
