Epidemiology

Ganglions are the most common type of tumour located within the hand and wrist.[1] They are more likely to be present in women and have a female to male ratio of 3:1.[2] In children, the female to male ratio is 1.4:1 to 1.8:1.[3][4]

The condition usually affects patients in their second to fourth decades, but can be present at any age.[5]

Dorsal ganglions account for roughly 60% to 70% of ganglion cysts, while volar wrist ganglions account for the remainder.[6] Volar cyst incidence may be similar or exceed that of dorsal ganglion cyst incidence in children aged ≤10 years; dorsal wrist location predominates in children >10 years and adults.[3][4]

Ganglions most often originate within the wrist joint in the adult population, but occasionally may arise from the tendon sheath. Patients under aged 13 years have a higher percentage of ganglions arising from the tendon sheath (33%) compared with adults.[3]

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