Synovial chondromatosis of the knee joint: a rarity during childhood

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare disease, especially in children. We report on a 12-year old girl who suffered twice a knee trauma. She then developed an arthritis of her right knee joint and finally showed all signs of synovial chondromatosis arthroscopically. Treatment consisted of removal of loose as well as stalked chondromatous bodies by means of arthroscopy. According to Milgram (1975) the evolution of the disease progresses through three stages, starting with synovial metaplasia producing chondromas which are then shed into the joint. Kay, Freemont and Davies (1989) doubt this theory.

Shoulder rheumatoid arthritis associated with chondromatosis, treated by arthroscopy

We present a case of rheumatoid arthritis that affected the right shoulder and was associated with chondromatosis and multiple loose body formation. The arthritis was treated arthroscopically with satisfactory results after a follow-up period of 15 months. In our case, arthroscopic debridement and partial synovectomy not only relieved the pain but also improved the range of motion the night after surgery. The multiple loose bodies irritating the synovium and causing effusion, crepitus, and locking were also removed. One may need to change portals of the scope and suction cannula to remove loose bodies in different joint spaces. The subacromial space must be searched for loose bodies. Thorough cleaning, lavage, and synovectomy are important parts of this surgery. The continuous passive motion (CPM) machine in the immediate postoperative period was helpful.

[Tenosynovial osteochondromatosis of the hand. A case report]

A 14 year old boy presented with swelling of the middle finger. X-rays showed calcifications of the palmar surface of the head of the third metacarpal and over the first and second phalanges. The natural course was followed over a period of two years with a diagnosis of calcifying peritendonitis. Due to the increased volume of the calcification deforming the proximal phalanx, the masses were resected revealing a diagnosis of chondroma. The discovery of free foreign bodies in the synovial sheath of the flexors and histological examination established the diagnosis of tenosynovial osteochondromatosis, which is rarely located in the hand. No recurrence has been observed after 8 years of follow-up.

[Joint chondromatosis. Results in 40 surgically and conservatively treated patients]

The clinical findings seen in chondromatosis (Henderson-Jones syndrome) and the treatment of this rare disease are presented. The etiology is also discussed. The authors suggest a therapy, drawing on their own experience in 40 patients with an average follow-up of 12.6 years and on numerous articles from the literature. They recommend total synovectomy with removal of loose bodies at an early stage to prevent mechanical destruction of articular cartilage.

Surgery for synovial chondromatosis. 26 cases followed up for 6 years

Surgery was performed in 31 patients with synovial chondromatosis: 12 had synovectomy and removal of loose bodies, and 16 had removal of loose bodies only. The remaining 3 patients had more radical surgery: 2 had total hip replacement and 1 had resection arthroplasty. Twenty-six patients were reviewed after an average of 6 years and 4 months. Thirteen patients were symptomatic and 11 had residual signs of limited joint motion and localized tenderness. In 1 case of metatarsophalangeal joint involvement, recurrence occurred. Removal of loose bodies only did not differ from synovectomy and removal of loose bodies.

Reconstruction of the triangular fibrocartilage complex after surgery for treatment of synovial osteochondromatosis of the distal radioulnar joint

Synovial osteochondromatosis of the hand is uncommon, except for tenosynovial chondromatosis of the digits. It is even more rare in the wrist joint. A patient with synovial osteochondromatosis of the distal radioulnar joint that involved the triangular fibrocartilage complex is described. At operation, synovectomy, excision of osteochondral bodies, and removal of the entire triangular fibrocartilage complex was done. The triangular fibrocartilage complex was reconstructed using part of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon. One year after operation, the patient had regained almost full range of motion and is without pain.

The role of arthroscopy in the management of synovial chondromatosis of the shoulder. A case report

A case of synovial chondromatosis of the shoulder is reported in a 28-year-old man with long-standing shoulder pain after a remote episode of trauma. Although plain roentgenograms were normal, arthrograms revealed the characteristic findings of synovial chondromatosis. Treatment consisted of arthroscopic removal of multiple cartilaginous loose bodies and partial synovectomy. Synovial chondromatosis of the shoulder treated with arthroscopic debridement and synovectomy rather than traditional open arthrotomy seems not to have been reported previously.

[Chondromatosis of the elbow joint--a single-joint arthropathy]

The surgical treatment of a case of chondromatosis of the elbow is reported. The description of the course shows the clinical features, the diagnosis and the therapeutical approaches.

Synovial chondromatosis in the distal interphalangeal joint

A case of synovial chondromatosis of the distal interphalangeal joint of the long finger with an 8-year follow-up is presented. The lesion recurred 4 years after simple synovectomy, requiring a second operation with arthrodesis.

Arthroscopic observation and treatment of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint. Report of a case and review of the literature

Synovial chondromatosis of the TMJ is a rare disorder of unknown etiology that may be neoplastic or hyperplastic in nature. A histopathologically confirmed case, the first to be identified and treated by arthroscopy, is presented. Removal of the affected synovial tissue and of loose particles was accomplished arthroscopically, a relatively non-invasive alternative to open arthrotomy.