Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Weerakkody Y, Saldana Mendez S, Roberts D, et al. Spinoglenoid notch ganglion cyst. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 30 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-41585
Spinoglenoid notch ganglion cysts are a location-specific form of ganglion cysts that arise in the region of the spinoglenoid notch.
They are generally rare and may be slightly more common in males 2.
Associations
They may result in suprascapular nerve compression at the spinoglenoid notch. Other described features include infraspinatus atrophy, weakness with external rotation and posterior shoulder tenderness 4.
MRI
Typically seen as a variably sized cystic lesion at the site of the spinoglenoid notch. Signal characteristics are similar to other ganglion cysts and include:
T1: low signal
T2: high signal
MRI may also show associated infraspinatus atrophy.
Treatment and prognosis
Treatment options range from conservative management to aspiration of the cysts and excision 4. Most cysts are thought to resolve with treatment 6.
Imaging differential considerations include:
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1. Yanny S & Toms A. MR Patterns of Denervation Around the Shoulder. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2010;195(2):W157-63. doi:10.2214/AJR.09.4127 - Pubmed
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2. Killeen R, Browne R, Torreggiani W, Munk P. Radiology for the Surgeon: Musculoskeletal Case 39. Can J Surg. 2007;50(3):219-20. PMC2384283 - Pubmed
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3. Linda D, Harish S, Stewart B, Finlay K, Parasu N, Rebello R. Multimodality Imaging of Peripheral Neuropathies of the Upper Limb and Brachial Plexus. Radiographics. 2010;30(5):1373-400. doi:10.1148/rg.305095169 - Pubmed
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4. Piatt B, Hawkins R, Fritz R, Ho C, Wolf E, Schickendantz M. Clinical Evaluation and Treatment of Spinoglenoid Notch Ganglion Cysts. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2002;11(6):600-4. doi:10.1067/mse.2002.127094 - Pubmed
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5. Westerheide K & Karzel R. Ganglion Cysts of the Shoulder: Technique of Arthroscopic Decompression and Fixation of Associated Type II Superior Labral Anterior to Posterior Lesions. Orthop Clin North Am. 2003;34(4):521-8. doi:10.1016/s0030-5898(03)00102-0 - Pubmed
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6. Schroder C, Skare O, Stiris M, Gjengedal E, Uppheim G, Brox J. Treatment of Labral Tears with Associated Spinoglenoid Cysts Without Cyst Decompression. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008;90(3):523-30. doi:10.2106/JBJS.F.01534 - Pubmed
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7. Kim D, Park H, Park J, Yoon W. Ganglion Cyst of the Spinoglenoid Notch: Comparison Between SLAP Repair Alone and SLAP Repair with Cyst Decompression. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2012;21(11):1456-63. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2012.01.013 - Pubmed
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