Intra-articular Lipoma Research Articles

An unusual cause for anterior knee pain: strangulated intra-articular lipoma

Lipoma is the most frequently encountered benign soft tissue tumor. However, intra-articular lipomas are rarely seen. Anterior knee pain is a frequent complaint of adults and is of diverse etiology. This 42-year-old female patient had severe anterior knee pain, unresponsive to medical treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intra-articular tumor of the knee joint. Arthroscopic intervention and subsequent histological examination resulted in the diagnosis of strangulated lipoma originating from infrapatellar fat pad. We present clinical, radiological and operative features of this rare case of intra-articular lipoma.

Intra-articular lipoma of the knee joint in a girl

Abstract Intra-articular lipoma is a rare benign mass that commonly occurs in the knee joint. We present the case of a 15-year-old girl with a slowly growing mass in her right knee. There was no history of trauma. The patient had no catching, locking, or giving way of the knee. On magnetic resonance imaging, multiple fibrous septa within a hyperintense mass was determined. After the arthroscopic examination, complete resection by open surgery was performed. There was no tumor recurrence at the end of the 1-year follow-up period. True intra-articular lipoma should be distinguished from lipoma arborescens, which is a similar but more common condition.

Torsion of an intra-articular lipoma as a cause of pseudo locking of the knee

We describe a case of a painful locked knee caused by the torsion of an intra-articular lipoma and review the literature on this unusual condition. There are many cases of locked knee and of intra-articular lipoma but to our knowledge there are no previous documented cases of a torted lipoma being identified as a cause of locking.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 19, No 3 (March), 2003: pp E27

A true intra-articular lipoma of the knee in a girl

A 16-year-old girl presented with a soft-tissue mass in the anterolateral aspect of her right knee. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intra-articular tumor arising from the anterior fat pad of the knee. The tumor showed low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. It was resected under arthroscopic guidance. Grossly, the tumor was composed of soft, yellowish adipose tissue. Pathologic examination revealed a collection of mature adipocytes with marked myxoid changes in the matrix. A diagnosis of lipoma was made. True intra-articular lipomas should be distinguished from lipoma arborescens, which is considered to be a reactive process. In the English language literature, we found only 7 cases of true intra-articular lipoma reported previously. The present case is the youngest patient with such a tumor, and all the previous reports are of the tumor in adult patients. Intra-articular lipoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intra-articular masses in adolescents.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 18, No 5 (May-June), 2002: E24

Arthroscopic treatment of an intra-articular lipoma of the knee joint

Intra-articular lipoma is an exceedingly rare diagnosis. There have been less than 15 documented cases of an intra-articular lipoma of the knee joint. This report presents the first description of an intra-articular knee lipoma treated entirely by arthroscopic methods. Preoperative history, examination, and imaging studies are reviewed. Intraoperative findings, treatment, and postoperative evaluation are discussed as well. Symptomatic intra-articular lipoma of the knee joint can be successfully treated by arthroscopic resection. Differentiating intra-articular lipoma from lipoma arborescens, a similar but more common condition, is important with regards to optimal treatment.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 17, No 5 (May-June), 2001: pp 539–541

Intra-articular lipoma with osteochondroid metaplasia in the knee joint

We describe a case of lipoma with osteochondroid metaplasia in the knee joint. Although the location of the lesion and radiographic findings were unusual, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were useful in characterizing adipose, cartilaginous and osseous tissue components within the lesion.