Revisiting The Synovial Chondromatosis with A Short Review of The Literature

Abstract

Synovial chondromatosis is a benign neoplastic process representing hyaline cartilage nodules formed in a joint. In adult males, the knee joint is the most commonly affected in the Indian population. The hyaline cartilage nodules may detach from the synovium and may present as enlarged free nodules in the subsynovial tissue of joint, tendon sheath or bursa. In primary changes of synovial chondromatosis plain radiograph is not able to assess the free hyaline cartilage nodules. For further workup, magnetic resonance imaging is the essential imaging investigation to evaluate the cartilage and for the surgical planning. The extension of synovial disease, especially peripheral soft tissue involvement and lobular growth, are demonstrated more precisely on MRI. The treatment of choice in the case of primary synovial chondromatosis is surgical resection, either intraarticular or extraarticular; however, the recurrence is higher in extraarticular synovial chondromatosis. Along with the synovectomy surgical resection or removal of the hyaline cartilage nodules is also necessary. This case report discusses a 45-old female patient having synovial chondromatosis along with a short literature review.