LAUSR

Digital mucous cyst (DMC) is a common kind of benign myxoid cyst that predominantly occurs on the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) or adjacent proximal nail fold (PNF) of digits.1 There are various treatment methods such as surgical removal, cryotherapy, laser therapy, puncture and drainage, intralesional steroid injection and sclerotherapy.2 Herein, we sought to assess the efficacy of intralesional injection with sodium tetradecyl sulphate for DMC treatment. Among patients who were diagnosed with DMCs, those who received intralesional sodium tetradecyl sulphate injection treatment were selected. 0.1– 0.3 cc of sodium tetradecyl sulphate was injected into the lesion until blanching appeared. After 4 weeks, the treatment was repeated in the same way if the lesion remained. The treatment effect was evaluated by dividing it into the following three stages: complete remission in the case of complete disappearance of the lesion, partial remission in the case where there is a slight improvement but the lesion remains present and no response in the case of no change in or worsening of the lesion. Data from 41 patients were included in the analyses (Table 1). Among 41 patients, 25 patients (61.0%) had complete remission (Figure 1a,b), 14 patients (34.1%) had partial remission (Figure 1c,d), and two patients (4.9%) had no change (Figure 1e,f). The average number of treatments performed until complete remission was 2.4 times (minimum— one session; maximum— eight sessions), and the average duration of treatment was 2.6 ± 1.9 months. Twentyfive patients who achieved complete remission were investigated over the phone for recurrence, but four patients could not be contacted. Of the 21 patients who responded to the call, 18 remained well without recurrence, while three patients (12.0%) reported recurrence. The average followup period for recurrence was 28.6 ± 20.4 months. Seven of the 41 patients (17.1%) complained of pain after sclerotherapy, although the pain levels of all seven patients improved over time or after taking analgesics such as acetaminophen. Ten patients (24.4%) developed a crust at the treatment site, which improved within a few months (Figure 2a,b). In addition, no patient complained of symptoms like hyperpigmentation, paraesthesia and nail deformity, which are known side effects of sclerotherapy. Digital mucous cyst is a kind of noninflammatory hemispherical nodule that occurs on the dorsal surface of the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes. The incidence of DMC peaks in those 40– 70 years of age, with a