Bilateral lipoma arborescens with osteoarthritis knee: Case report and literature review

Progressive bilateral lipoma arborescens of the knee caused by uncontrolled juvenil idiopathic arthritis

Lipoma arborescens (LA) is a chronic, slowly progressive intra-articular lesion characterized by villous lipomatous proliferation of the synovium. Most cases have been described in elderly patients with degenerative or post-traumatic joint disease, but in several case reports, it has been considered to be related to inflammatory joint diseases. Here, we report a case of 17 years old female firstly presenting with bilateral swelling in both knees of five years duration, followed by the development of wide spread lipoma arborescens associated with the uncontrolled treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Intra-articular lipoma arborescens of the knee: A report of two cases with bilateral localization

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The unilateral form of lipoma Arborescens affecting the knee is the most common, with a predilection for supra patellar recess.

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The clinical examination finds symptoms of chronicity, such as progressive soft swelling, pain, stiffness and episodes of joint blockage.

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MRI is the examination of choice showing multiple villous proliferation of the synovial and frond-like structures with a fatty signal.

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Treatment with intra-articular injections of radioactive compounds, such as Yttrium 90 or steroids, relieves symptoms during moderate periods.

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Early synovectomy offers the best functional outcome.

Introduction

Lipoma arborescens is a very rare pseudo-tumoral lesion of unknown etiology, characterized by lipomatous infiltration of subsynovial stroma, bilateral involvement is exceptional, only eight cases are reported in the literature.

Presentation of case

We report the very rare case of two men presented at our department with complaints of swelling of both knees and intermittent joint effusion, Surgical biopsy revealed Lipoma arborescens in both cases. Open total synovectomy was performed. Follow-up evaluation showed no signs of recurrence.

Discussion and conclusion

Lipoma arborescens is a rare entity, the unilateral form affecting the knee is the most common, with a predilection for suprapellar recess. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the examination of choice showing multiple villous proliferation of the synovium and fat-like cells, with a fatty signal on all sequences. Treatment by open or arthroscopic synovectomy offers the best outcomes.

Bilateral lipoma arborescens -A proliferative case demonstrating progression in an adolescent male

Case

We describe a case of extensive symptomatic bilateral lipoma arborescens of the knee in a 19-year-old man who suffered from recurrent knee effusions for many years. This patient had MRI evidence of progression of disease prior to arthroscopic intervention. He was treated with bilateral complete arthroscopic synovectomies, demonstrating no evidence of cartilage wear.

Conclusion

Lipoma arborescens is a progressive disease. Timely diagnosis and treatment may prevent disease evolution and sequela.

Medical image analysis of knee joint lipoma arborescens and arthroscopic treatment

OBJECTIVE

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure on a joint in which examination and treatment of knee damage is performed using a surgical device known as the arthroscope. Lipoma arborescens (LA), an infrequent intra-articular lesion, originates from mature adipose cells under subsynovial tissue. The synovial membrane is pale yellow with large villous projections. It is caused by various underlying factors. We found many patients with LA and processed them appropriately.The research was implemented to investigate therapeutic effect of semi-automated arthroscopic diagnosis and treatment for knee joint.

METHODS

We used the Stryker arthroscopic in surgery that is 4 mm in diameter with angle at 30°. Patients were chosen by biomechanical analysis and scanning mode. All of the patients underwent radiographic imaging examination, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Lysholm Score and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Arthroscopic limited synovectomy was carried out on these patients.

RESULTS

The wound of all patients healed up. The content of follow-up includes: chief complaints, range of motion of knee joint, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Lysholm score. No swollen nor effusion of the infected knee was found in all patients during the follow-up. The postoperative symptom was markedly alleviated in fourteen patients and partially alleviated in one. All patients were satisfied with the therapeutic effect.

CONCLUSION

We performed biomechanical analysis based on knee slight flexion and extension. Arthroscopy is an endoscope for the diagnosis and treatment of joint diseases. Semi-automated arthroscopic debridement is good for early and mid-term osteoarthritis with Lipoma arborescens.

Lipoma Arborescens of the Knee: Report of Three Cases and Review of the Literature

Lipoma arborescens is a chronic, slow-growing, intra-articular lesion of benign nature, which is characterized by villous proliferation of the synovium, with replacement of the subsynovial connective tissue by mature fat cells. It usually involves the suprapatellar pouch of the knee joint. It is not a neoplasm but is rather considered a nonspecific reactive response to chronic synovial irritation, due to either mechanical or inflammatory insults. We report three cases of lipoma arborescens affecting the knee, the first in a young male without previous history of arthritis or trauma, the second in a 58-year-old male associated with osteoarthritis, and the final in a 44-year-old male diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, which cover the entire pathologic spectrum of this unusual entity. We highlight the clinical findings and imaging features, by emphasizing especially the role of MRI, in the differential diagnosis of other, more complex intra-articular masses.

An unusual case of lipoma arborescens

Introduction Lipoma arborescens is a rare condition of the synovial lining. It is particularly uncommon in the bicipitoradial bursae of the elbow. Case Report A 68-year-old woman presented with a 5-month history of anterior elbow pain and swelling causing discomfort. Radiography demonstrated reactive changes of radial tuberosity and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed lipoma arborescens of the bicipitoradial bursa with distal biceps tendinopathy. A bicipital bursa bursectomy and lipoma excision was performed. Gross pathology and histology was consistent with lipoma arborescens. Three months postoperatively, our patient had full range of motion and good strength. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first published case report of lipoma arborescens affecting the elbow. Recognising the differential diagnoses of anterior elbow pain and the characteristic imaging is essential for accurate diagnosis.