A rare case of carpal boss lesion with an overlying ganglion cyst: case report and literature review

Carpal boss is a bony protrusion on the dorsal aspect of wrist quadrangular joint. The exact cause and prevalence are not well understood. Most of the patients are asymptomatic, although some experience pain, bony prominence, restricted mobility, and joint instability in sever neglected cases. We are presenting a case of a 24-year-old male had chronic dorsal wrist pain with bony prominence appearance underwent surgical excision of a carpal boss lesion in concomitant with soft tissue ganglion cyst over the carpal boss after failed conservative management, resulting in significant symptom improvement and restored range of motion. Carpal boss lesion is a common condition that can be undiagnosed due to asymptomatic presentation or the presence of overlying soft tissue pathology as ganglion cyst. Although conservative treatment is helpful in some patients, most symptomatic carpal boss lesion patients eventually need surgical excision.