Articular Synovial Chondromatosis

Abstract

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare disease in which multiple, metaplastic, cartilaginous masses form in the synovial membrane. These may calcify or ossify. The affection is monarticular and most commonly involves the knee. Although the clinical features are usually completely non-specific, the roentgenogram often provides important diagnostic information. Other entities that produce intraarticular and intrasynovial osteocartilaginous masses should not be included with synovial chondromatosis. In the present series of thirty-two cases, synovectomy proved to be a good form of treatment. Although cellular activity within foci in twenty-three of these thirty-two cases suggested the possibility of chondrosarcoma, the course was not clinically malignant in any of the cases.