Diagnosis is by examination. A<unk>  is easier to see from behind with the patient standing with knees fully extended. It is most easily palpated (felt) with the knee partially flexed. Diagnosis is confirmed by ultrasonography, although if needed and there is no suspicion of a popliteal artery aneurysm then aspiration of synovial fluid from the<unk>  may be undertaken with care. An MRI image can reveal presence of a<unk> . An infrequent but potentially life-threatening complication, which may need to be excluded by blood tests and ultrasonography, is a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Quick assessment of the possibility of DVT may be required where a<unk>  has compressed vascular structures, causing leg edema, as this sets up conditions for a DVT to develop. A burst<unk>  commonly causes calf pain, swelling and redness that may mimic thrombophlebitis. Popliteal<unk>  in situ.A specimen from a cadaver of a<unk>  in popliteal space Image:Bakerzyste MRT ax.Baker's<unk>  on axial MRI with communicating channel between the semimembranosus muscle and the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle. Image:Bakerzyste1 MRT sag.Baker's<unk>  on MRI, sagittal image Image:Bakerzyste2 MRT sag.Baker's<unk>  on MRI, sagittal image
Baker's cyst
Ganglion
Bartholin's cyst
Aneurysm
Tarlov cyst
Deep vein thrombosis
Askin's tumor
Neoplasm