Two cases of synovial chondromatosis of the subacromial bursa

Synovial Osteochondromatosis: Clinical Characteristics Unique to the Shoulder

Background

Synovial osteochondromatosis (SOC) of the shoulder is a rare condition with unclear characteristics. This study evaluated the clinical features and postoperative functional outcomes of SOC of the shoulder that are distinct from SOC of other joints.

Methods

The characteristics of 28 shoulders with SOC that underwent arthroscopy were retrospectively assessed. Ten shoulders (35.7%) had rotator cuff tears (RCTs) and underwent concomitant arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The mean follow-up period was 83.6 months (range, 24-154 months). Demographic characteristics and loose bodies localized under arthroscopy were compared between cases with and without concomitant RCTs. Radiography, ultrasonography, or magnetic resonance imaging were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and satisfaction were evaluated for all cases, and functional scores were assessed in shoulders with concomitant RCTs.

Results

The average age was 36.2 ± 15.6 years among patients without RCTs and 58.3 ± 7.2 years among patients with RCTs. Seven shoulders (7%) had osteoarthritis. Arthroscopy revealed loose bodies in multiple spaces, including the glenohumeral joint, subacromial (SA) space, and biceps tendon sheath. Overall, loose bodies were found in multiple spaces in 12 shoulders (42.9%). Loose bodies were found in the SA space only in 4 shoulders (22.2%) without RCTs and in 7 shoulders (70.0%) with RCTs. VAS for pain decreased significantly from 3.9 ± 2.3 to 1.1 ± 1.3 (p < 0.001). The functional scores increased significantly after arthroscopic management for patients with concurrent RCTs (all p < 0.05). Recurrence of SOC occurred in 3 of the 22 shoulders (13.6%) who underwent postoperative imaging, but no patient had a recurrent RCT.

Conclusions

Pain relief and patient satisfaction were achieved via arthroscopic management. Unlike in other joints, loose bodies can occur simultaneously in several spaces in the shoulder, including the glenohumeral joint, SA space, and biceps tendon sheath. Early diagnosis of SOC of the SA space can help prevent osteoarthritis and RCT progression.

Clinical Results of Surgical Resection and Histopathological Evaluation of Synovial Chondromatosis in the Shoulder: A Retrospective Study and Literature Review

Background

Synovial chondromatosis occurs rarely in the shoulder, and its details remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the clinical results of surgical resection and the histopathological findings of synovial chondromatosis in the shoulder.

Methods

Ten shoulders with synovial chondromatosis that had been operatively resected were reviewed retrospectively. Osteochondral lesions were present in the glenohumeral joint in six shoulders and in the subacromial space in four shoulders. Two patients had a history of trauma with glenohumeral dislocation without recurrent instability, and the other seven patients (eight shoulders) did not have any traumatic episodes or past illness involving the ipsilateral shoulder girdle. The occurrences of osteochondral lesions, inferior humeral osteophytes, and acromial spurs were assessed on radiographs before resection, just after resection, and at final follow-up. The Constant scores were compared before resection and at final follow-up with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Resected lesions were histopathologically differentiated between primary and secondary synovial chondromatosis.

Results

Inferior humeral osteophytes were found in five shoulders with synovial chondromatosis in the glenohumeral joint, and all four shoulders with synovial chondromatosis in the subacromial space had acromial spur formation. Osteochondral lesions appeared to have been successfully removed in all shoulders on postoperative radiographs. At the final follow-up, however, one shoulder with secondary synovial chondromatosis in the subacromial space showed recurrence of osteochondral lesions and acromial spur formation. The mean Constant score improved significantly from 53.0 points before resection to 76.0 points at a mean follow-up of 6.0 years (p = 0.002). On histopathological evaluation, one shoulder was diagnosed as having primary synovial chondromatosis, while nine shoulders had secondary synovial chondromatosis.

Conclusions

The present study showed that resection of shoulder osteochondral lesions successfully relieved the clinical symptoms and that primary synovial chondromatosis is less common than secondary synovial chondromatosis in the shoulder. Although most of the present osteochondral lesions were clinically determined to be primary chondromatosis, only one case was histopathologically categorized as primary synovial chondromatosis. These results suggest that histopathological identification is needed to differentiate between primary and secondary synovial chondromatosis.

Synovial Chondromatosis

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare, benign condition of unknown etiology in which the synovium undergoes metaplasia leading to cartilaginous nodules that ultimately break free, mineralize, and even ossify. The most commonly involved joint is the knee. Patients may be asymptomatic or may present with pain, swelling, and limited range of motion. Plain radiographs can be diagnostic and mineralized nodules are pathognomonic. Recommended treatment involves arthroscopic or open removal of loose bodies with or without a synovectomy to prevent further articular and periarticular destruction and to relieve symptoms.

Extra-articular Synovial Chondromatosis Eroding and Penetrating the Acromion

Synovial chondromatosis of the shoulder is an uncommon disorder. It usually affects the glenohumeral joint and is characterized by metaplasia of the synovium leading to the formation of osteochondral loose bodies. Few cases of extra-articular subacromial synovial chondromatosis involving the rotator cuff tendon have been reported in the literature. The treatment of previously reported cases consisted of open bursectomy and removal of loose bodies. We report a case of subacromial synovial chondromatosis without rotator cuff involvement but with severe erosion and fracture of the acromion. Treatment consisted of shoulder arthroscopy to remove all loose bodies, total bursectomy, and debridement of the acromion. Potential benefits of arthroscopy were also evaluated.

Synovial chondromatosis of the subacromial bursa causing a bursal-sided rotator cuff tear

Synovial chondromatosis is an uncommon condition, and involvement of the shoulder is even more rare. We report on a 39-year-old female who presented with symptoms, radiographic features, and intraoperative findings consistent with multiple subacromial loose bodies resulting in a partial-thickness, bursal-sided rotator cuff tear of the supraspinatus muscle. She was treated with an arthroscopic removal of loose bodies, complete excision of the subacromial/subdeltoid bursa, acromioplasty, and rotator cuff repair. To our knowledge, this is the first report of arthroscopic treatment for a bursal-sided, partial-thickness rotator cuff tear treated with greater than two-year clinical and radiographic follow-up. We utilized shoulder scores, preoperative and postoperative range of motion, and imaging to assess the results of treatment and surveillance for recurrence in our patient after two-year follow-up.

Arthroscopic treatment for synovial chondromatosis of the subacromial bursa associated with partial rotator cuff tear

Synovial chondromatosis is characterized by benign synovial proliferation that leads to chondral or osteochondral foci formation. In this case report, a right-handed female suffered from progressively worsening pain and limited mobility of forward elevation, abduction and external rotation in her right shoulder. A shoulder arthroscopy was conducted, during which, thickened bursal synovium and several loose bodies were observed, associated with bursal side tear of rotator cuff. A thorough synovectomy, subacromial debridement and acromioplasty were conducted. The pathological findings were consistent with synovial chondromatosis. After systematic rehabilitation, the patient had relief of shoulder pain and full range of motions in 14-months follow-up.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Case report, Level IV.

Rare Case of Extra-articular Synovial Chondromatosis of Biceps Tendon Sheath in 8 years Male Child

Introduction:

Primary synovial osteo chondromatosis (PSOC) is chondroid metaplasia with multi¬nodular proliferation of the synovial lining of a diarthrodial joint, bursa, or tendon sheath. It usually occurs in third-fifth decade and shoulder joint involvement is infrequent. It is very rare in children and primary extraarticular PSOC of the shoulder has been reported very rarely in children.

Case Report:

We present a case of primary PSOC of the long head of biceps in 8year child. It presented as painful swelling in proximal arm. The pain radiograph was showing multiple calcified loose bodies on anteromedial aspect of humerus. MRI scan showed fluid filled cysts with calcified wall. The lesion was excised through deltopectoral approach. He had complete resolution of symptoms without recurrence at 1 year.The diagnosis was confirmed on histopathological examination.

Conclusion:

We want to emphasize that one should keep a differential diagnosis of this rare condition in patients presenting with cystic swelling with calcified wall. We further emphasize the need to follow these patients to detect recurrence or malignant transformation.

Synovial osteochondromatosis in the subacromial bursa mimicking calcific tendinitis: sonographic diagnosis

Synovial osteochondromatosis is an idiopathic benign metaplasia of the synovial membrane rarely found in an extra-articular bursa. We describe the case of a 55-year-old woman with synovial osteochondromatosis in the subacromial bursa mimicking calcific tendinitis. Plain radiographs showed a radiopaque mass over the middle facet of the greater tuberosity, suggesting calcific tendinitis. Sonography, however, showed a loose body in the subacromial bursa, and no evidence of calcification inside the rotator cuff.

Arthroscopic treatment of a case with concomitant subacromial and subdeltoid synovial chondromatosis and labrum tear

Synovial chondromatosis is a disease that seldomly seen in shoulder joint and is related to benign synovial proliferation and synchronous chondral tissue formation within the joint cavity. Patients suffer from progressive restriction of range of motion and shoulder pain. Extra-articular involvement is an extremely rare condition. Degenerative osteoarthritis, joint subluxation, and bursitis are common complications in untreated patients. Open or arthroscopic surgery is suitable while there is no consensus related to superiority of different approaches. We presented an arthroscopic treatment of a male patient, 48 years old with labrum tear and synovial chondromatosis localized in subacromial and subdeltoid region. Advantages of arthroscopic surgery in the presence of intra- and extra-articular combined pathologies are also discussed.

Arthroscopic synovectomy, removal of loose bodies and selective biceps tenodesis for synovial chondromatosis of the shoulder

We retrospectively identified 18 consecutive patients with synovial chrondromatosis of the shoulder who had arthroscopic treatment between 1989 and 2004. Of these, 15 were available for review at a mean follow-up of 5.3 years (2.3 to 16.5). There were seven patients with primary synovial chondromatosis, but for the remainder, the condition was a result of secondary causes. The mean Constant score showed that pain and activities of daily living were the most affected categories, being only 57% and 65% of the values of the normal side. Surgery resulted in a significant improvement in the mean Constant score in these domains from 8.9 (4 to 15) to 11.3 (2 to 15) and from 12.9 (5 to 20) to 18.7 (11 to 20), respectively (unpaired t-test, p = 0.04 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Movement and strength were not significantly affected. Osteoarthritis was present in eight patients at presentation and in 11 at the final review. Recurrence of the disease with new loose bodies occurred in two patients from the primary group at an interval of three and 12 years post-operatively. In nine patients, loose bodies were also present in the bicipital groove; seven of these underwent an open bicipital debridement and tenodesis. We found that arthroscopic debridement of the glenohumeral joint and open debridement and tenodesis of the long head of biceps, when indicated, are safe and effective in relieving symptoms at medium-term review.

Arthroscopic treatment for synovial chondromatosis of the subacromial bursa: a case report

Synovial chondromatosis of the subacromial bursa has been reported rarely. To the best of our knowledge, there was no case report of arthroscopic treatment for synovial chondromatosis of the subacromial bursa in English literature. The authors present a case of synovial chondromatosis of the subacromial space in a 45-year-old male, which was managed by arthroscopy. This rare condition can be well managed on similar lines as the other joints through arthroscopic surgery.

[Isolated synovial chondromatosis of the subacromial bursa: report of a new case and review of the literature]

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare metaplasia of the synovium of unknown etiology that may involve occasionally the subacromial bursa. We report a new case diagnosed by ultrasound in a 30-year-old man and we present pathogenetic, diagnostic and therapeutic features of this disease with a literature review.

Synovial osteochondromatosis in bilateral subacromial bursae

Abstract We report a rare case of synovial osteochondromatosis in bilateral subacromial bursae. A 73-year-old man presented with sudden shoulder pain. Roentgenograms showed a large number of calcifications between the acromial processes, and a greater tuberosity on both sides. Surgery was performed to remove loose bodies from both sides. There were 11 in the right subacromial bursa, and 9 in the left. According to Milgram's staging system, this case was diagnosed as stage III. A follow-up examination 10 months after the operation found no recurrence, pain, or limitation of the range of motion on either side.