Bilateral meniscal cysts of medial menisci occurring in a career soldier.

A young male career soldier presented with bilateral meniscal cysts of the medial menisci combined with a meniscal tear. This was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and was treated by arthroscopic procedures. An arthroscopic examination showed mucous fluid to be leaking from a torn portion of his left knee; however, no similar leaking was observed in his right knee. These arthroscopic results thus will support an etiology in which meniscal cysts occur as a result of an extrusion of synovial fluid through meniscal tears.