Sclerotherapy as a Minimally Invasive Treatment Option for Baker’s Cyst: A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Baker’s cyst, or popliteal cyst, is a fluid-filled swelling in the popliteal fossa, commonly associated with joint disorders in adults, leading to discomfort and restricted knee movement. In children, it is less common and typically linked to juvenile idiopathic arthritis, though it can also occur idiopathically. Traditional treatments include conservative management, surgery, and minimally invasive techniques such as aspiration and corticosteroid injections, which are often associated with recurrence (5%-70%).

Sclerotherapy has emerged as a promising minimally invasive treatment, involving the injection of a sclerosant into the cyst to induce inflammation, occlusion, and fibrosis. We present a rare case of a symptomatic Baker’s cyst successfully treated with bleomycin sclerotherapy in a 5-year-old boy, diagnosed via ultrasound. Despite the limited studies in the literature, this case, along with others, demonstrates positive outcomes, suggesting that sclerotherapy is a safe and effective option. This case contributes to the growing evidence supporting sclerotherapy for the management of Baker’s cysts, offering a viable alternative to more invasive procedures, particularly when other treatments have failed or are contraindicated.