ABSTRACT
Benign periarticular, bone and joint lipomatous lesions are rare entities that are increasingly being identified using current imaging techniques. This pictorial review illustrates the wide range of imaging presentations of these lesions at various sites and their pathognomonic features. The main lesions reviewed include intraosseous lipoma, liposclerosing myxofibrous tumour, lipoma arborescens and intra-articular lipoma.
ABSTRACT
Lipoma arborescens is a chronic, slowly progressive intra-articular lesion characterised by villous lipomatous proliferation of the synovium, usually involving the suprapatellar pouch of the knee joint. It is an uncommon cause of intra-articular masses that presents as slowly progressive painless swelling of the joint, which persists for many years and is accompanied by intermittent effusions. We highlight this condition to raise awareness of its clinical spectrum and imaging features, so that early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can be given, and misinterpretation of this condition as other more complex intra-articular masses is avoided. This pictorial essay aims to provide a brief yet comprehensive review of the clinical features, distribution, morphological types and imaging characteristics of lipoma arborescens, including its common differential diagnoses and management.