What is the Difference Between Ganglion Cyst and Dupuytren’s Contracture

The key difference between ganglion cyst and Dupuytren’s contracture is that a ganglion cyst is a non-cancerous raised lump found near joints such as the wrist and fingers, while Dupuytren’s contracture is the thickening of the fibrous tissue under the skin of palms, fingers, and hands, which leads to the curving of the finger.

Ganglion cyst and Dupuytren’s contracture are common disorders that are treated by hand surgeons. Ganglion cyst and Dupuytren’s contracture can be diagnosed through physical examinations.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Ganglion Cyst 
3. What is Dupuytren’s Contracture
4. Similarities – Ganglion Cyst and Dupuytren’s Contracture
5. Ganglion Cyst vs Dupuytren’s Contracture in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Ganglion Cyst vs Dupuytren’s Contracture

What is Ganglion Cyst?

A ganglion cyst is a non-cancerous raised lump found near joints such as the wrist and fingers. It is a small sac of fluid that forms over the joint or the tendon. A thick, sticky, clear, colourless, jelly-like material can be found inside this cyst. Depending on the size, this cyst can be firm or spongy. The symptoms of this condition include a soft lump or mass that changes but does not move, swelling over time, a lump that gets smaller or go away and come back with time, one large lump or smaller lumps developing together, pain that worsens with joint movement, and a sense of weakness in the affected finger. This condition is caused by trauma. Trauma can cause the tissues of the joint to break down, thus forming small cysts that later join into a larger obvious mass.

Ganglion cysts are diagnosed through physical examination, ultrasound, and MRI. Furthermore, treatment options for ganglion cysts include self-care at home (topical plaster, heat, and various poultices), aspiration, and surgical procedures.

What is Dupuytren’s Contracture?

Dupuytren’s contracture is the thickening of the fibrous tissue under the skin of palms, fingers, and hands, leading to the finger’s curving. The thickened area in this condition may first develop into a hard lump or thick band. Later, it causes one or more fingers to curl. Dupuytren’s contracture is hereditary. It is also linked to smoking, alcoholism, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, or medicines used to treat seizures. Moreover, common symptoms in Dupuytren’s contracture include not being able to lay a hand on the table, small, tender lumps, pits or grooves in the skin compressed by the contracted finger, fingers that are pulled forward, and hands that do not properly work.

Dupuytren’s contracture is diagnosed through medical history and physical examination. Furthermore, treatment options for Dupuytren’s contracture include surgery, steroid shots or injections, radiation therapy, enzyme injection, and needle aponeurotomy.

What are the Similarities Between Ganglion Cyst and Dupuytren’s Contracture?

• Ganglion cysts and Dupuytren’s contracture are common disorders that are treated by hand surgeons.
• They are not life-threatening disorders.
• Ganglion cysts and Dupuytren’s contracture can be diagnosed through physical examinations.
• These disorders are normally treated through physical therapy and surgical procedure.

What is the Difference Between Ganglion Cyst and Dupuytren’s Contracture?

A ganglion cyst is a non-cancerous raised lump found near joints such as the wrist and fingers, while Dupuytren’s contracture is the thickening of the fibrous tissue under the skin of palms, fingers, and hands, which leads to the curving of the finger. Thus, this is the key difference between ganglion cyst and Dupuytren’s contracture. Furthermore, a ganglion cyst is caused by trauma, while Dupuytren’s contracture is caused by hereditary genetic mutations.

The below infographic presents the differences between Ganglion cyst and Dupuytren’s contracture in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Ganglion Cyst vs Dupuytren’s Contracture

Ganglion cyst and Dupuytren’s contracture are common disorders affecting hands and are treated by hand surgeons. A ganglion cyst is a non-cancerous raised lump found near joints such as the wrist and fingers, while Dupuytren’s contracture is the thickening of the fibrous tissue under the skin of palms, fingers, and hands, leading to the curving of the finger. So, this summarizes the difference between ganglion cyst and Dupuytren’s contracture.

Reference:

1. “Ganglion.” NHS Choices, NHS.
2. “Dupuytren Contracture.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Ganglion Cyst” By Martin Sharman (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Dupuytren’s disease” By Martin Sharman (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) via Flickr