TITLE:
Synovial Chondromatosis of the Elbow Joint in a 27-Year-Old Man: A Case Report
AUTHORS:
Fatih Türkmensoy, İsmail Türkmen, Mehmet Salih Söylemez, Yalçın Turhan, Birol Aktaş, Feyza Ünlü Özkan
KEYWORDS:
Elbow; Loose Body; Malignant Transformation; Synovial Chondromatosis; Treatment
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Orthopedics,
Vol.3 No.2,
June
18,
2013
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Multiple
intraarticular loose bodies are pathognomonic for the Synovial chondromatosis.
This disorder affects a wide age range from adults to childhood with no sex dominance. Malignant
transformation is rare to date, and
there are approximately 34
cases in literature about the transformation of synovial chondromatosis to chondrosarcoma. Case: We present case of a 27-year-old
patient who had synovial chondromatosis in his elbow. Discussion: Radiographic findings are usually
pathognomonic for the diagnosis. Multiple calcified loose bodies can be seen in
the joint in radiographs. Computed tomography (CT) optimally depicts the
calcified intraarticular fragments and extrinsic bone erosion. However, because
the radioopacity cannot be detected in 1/3 of the cases, diagnosis becomes difficult. Treatment modalities include
arthroscopic or open extraction of the loose bodies and arthropasty in the
presence of severe osteoarthritis. Conclusion: Synovial chondromatosis
should be kept in the differential dignosis of the chronic monoarticular pain and painful
limitations of the range of motions of the joints.