Extract
Primary synovial chondromatosis is a proliferation of cartilaginous bodies
within the synovial membrane, bursa, or tendon sheath. Historically, it has
been characterized as a rare, monoarticular, benign arthropathy of uncertain
etiology, typically involving a single large joint in a young adult. Males are
affected more commonly than
females1. The knee
is involved most frequently, followed by the hip, elbow, shoulder, ankle, and
wrist2-4;
however, smaller joint involvement, including that of the spine, foot, and
hand, has been
reported5-8,
as has involvement of the acromioclavicular, temporomandibular, and
sternoclavicular
joints9-12.
The Massachusetts General Hospital tumor database contains eighty-six recorded
cases of synovial chondromatosis; these cases include involvement of the knee
(thirty-three cases), the hip (sixteen cases), the shoulder (eight cases), the
ankle (seven cases), the foot (seven cases), the elbow (five cases), and
miscellaneous locations (ten cases).