Evaluation of the Demographic and Clinical Features of Patients With Digital Myxoid Pseudocysts and Their Response to Treatment

BACKGROUND Digital myxoid pseudocysts (DMPs) are the most common benign degenerative lesions of the nail unit. There is currently no consensus regarding first-line treatments for DMPs. OBJECTIVE To evaluate demographic and clinical features and treatment methods of DMP and examine recurrence rates and factors that may affect recurrence. METHODS AND MATERIALS All patients in the authors' clinic who were diagnosed with DMP between 2013 and 2020 were included. Treatment methods were categorized as surgical excision (SE), drainage and compression (DC), simple drainage (SD), and no treatment. Responses and recurrence rates after different treatment methods were investigated. RESULTS Fifty-one lesions from 48 patients were included. Thirty-two lesions were treated with SE, 11 with DC, and 1 with SD, while 7 lesions were left untreated. The initial complete response rate after SE was significantly higher than that after DC. No statistically significant difference was found between the recurrence rates of the 2 treatment methods. Using intra-articular methylene blue during SE did not seem to affect recurrence rates. CONCLUSION Drainage and compression seems to be a safe and effective first-line treatment option for DMPs located on the proximal nail fold and distal interphalangeal joint. SE is more favorable as a second-line treatment.