Acquired peri-articular ganglion cyst in the lateral femorotibial joint in an 18-year-old Percheron cross mare

This report describes a case of sudden lameness in an 18-year-old Percheron cross mare after presumably being kicked by another horse, and the subsequent formation of a ganglion cyst originating from the lateral femorotibial joint. Physical examination, radiographic and ultrasonographic investigation identified a soft round 5 cm diameter mass attached to the left lateral femorotibial joint. After surgical removal, histopathological examination confirmed a ganglion cyst. The horse responded well to the surgical removal of the cyst, and 4 weeks after the surgery, the mare has returned back to her same athletic performance. According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case that describes a peri-articular ganglion cyst originating from the stifle joint.