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Although the literature contains records of a fairly large number of cysts of the semilunar cartilages, Bennett and Shaw having recently collected 163 cases, only a few surgeons have treated the condition in more than 1 or 2 cases. I reported a cyst of the external meniscus in 1927 and did not see another until 1937. Compared with other derangements of the knee, such as torn and displaced semilunar cartilages, cysts of either cartilage are rare. Nor is it likely that many are missed or undiagnosed, because the symptoms are noticeable, and the lesion sooner or later reaches conspicuous proportions and interferes with function of the knee joint.
The symptoms of a cyst of the external semilunar cartilage are swelling, pain and variable disability. Tumefaction is the most important symptom. In the early stage the swelling is small and may be indistinguishable from the adjacent soft tissues. By the time