[daynesmom]

I had to take DS to the doctor today because he had a blueberry sized bump on his left wrist. Turns out it is a ganglion cyst. Anyone have any experience with these? The doctor said it won't go away by itself, but it won't get any bigger or smaller. The only way to get rid of it is surgery.

Here's another question... since he is going to be put under for this surgery, what do you think the chances are that we could have him circumsized right away too? I figure we can kill two birds with one stone I don't even know if it's an option, but I'm going to ask the doctor when I meet with him.

Any feedback you have will be appreciated.

[guatparents2be]

your doctor is not necessarily correct that it won't get bigger or smaller. they can grow...now, or later. they can go away too if the capsule breaks.

they used to call these things 'bible bumps' because the treatment would be to smash them with a heavy book, which would break the capsule, and they would go away (obviously we don't treat them like that anymore)

all of that said, there is really NO reason for surgery unless they are painful as it's just cosmetic. for me, not worth the risk of anesthesia or potential trauma.

and that said, if you are planning circ for your son, they certainly should be able to coordinate the doctors to take the cyst at the same time.

good luck!

[gabriella_heart]

I am surprised that your doctor said that to you! I had one of these and it went away all by itself, which is what the doctor said that it would do. Jumping into surgery for such a little one wouldn't be the way to go in my opinion. Good luck with your decision!

[respitemom2]

I too had a ganglion cyst. It was on the back of my hand. The doctor actually took a needle and removed some of the liquid/gel, whatever it is in there, and the cyst deflated. It did return after time, but after doing the procedure once again, never returned.

[GuatMommy2Be]

Well, I had one 2 yrs ago, and it went away after a few mos...

[daynesmom]

WOW, thank you all so much for your feedback. We have not met with the surgeon yet, so it will be interesting to see what he says. I really don't want to risk the anesthesia if we don't have to. Maybe we'll just wait it out and see if it goes away.

[luv2teach2]

I had one at the bottom of one of my fingers in Highschool and my dr took a needle and drained it. Never has come back.

[CaddoRose]

I had one on my wrist for about 6 months and then noticed one day it was gone, all by itself. It has never returned. My dr said he could remove the fluid and it might come back or I could just let it alone, which is what I did. It is just made up of fluid from the joint.

[Travelkid]

I had one as a child. It went away (over 15 years ago) and never came back.

[alreadylove2005]

I had one on my wrist for years and years. It didn't bother me, I didn't even notice specifically when it went away. Unless there's an additional complication, I wouldn't advise surgery either. From what I know, they are harmless.

[mevertin]

I have had a ganglion cyst on my left wrist that was removed 3 times with surgery (came back twice). It was pressing on the tendons in my wrist/foreram/thumb area so it really bothered me. I felt like my wrist was sprained all the time and it bugged me at work ( I'm a Special Ed. teacher and was always lifting and positioning kids). The surgery was pretty quick and easy. I had a few stitches and wore a wrist splint for about a week. I wasn't put out all the way-they called it "twilight sleep." I had a few tylenol with codeine and then used motrin for a few days after surgery. As an adult it wasn't a big deal, but it may be a little more of a deal with a little one. Good luck with your little one.
Mary

[LLR]

My 3yo son Ian has one it freaked me out at first He has a large pea size knot on the top of his hand. The pediatrician told me the bible story and I must of looked freaked out as he quickly told me that they don't do that anymore. He told us unless it hurt not to worry about it. That it could go away on its own if he bumped while playing or if it bothered him they could aspirate it or do surgery. It's not bothering him and so we will leave it alone. My mom had one for years and it went away on its own.

If your considering circumcision anyway it might be that it could be done all at once.

Lori

[annaguat]

My bio DD had them years ago and there was no treatment given per docotor. They eventually went away. Anna

[Slatond10]

I have had 1 on both wrist and I did end up needing surgery on both. I did try other methods , hitting w/ book, extraction of fluids several times etc and they came back. In the case of my right wrist the cyst had grown around a nerve so it felt like a constant tooth ache in my arm ( was very uncomfortable). In the case of my left wrist it was near a bone and pressing a tendon so again not something I could live with.

They have NOT returned since surgery.

I agree w/ others that surgery is not always required but sometimes it is!

[JosieWales]

I wouldn't have surgery unless necessary! There are other ways of treating it like drainage!