Surgical treatment of a rare bilateral synovial chondromatosis

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an uncommon entity, mostly when the involvement is bilateral. The authors report a rare case of bilateral SC, with a follow-up of 13 months, and a literature review. A 60-year-old Caucasian woman, with the chief complaint of pain for 6 years in the bilateral pre-auricular region, had a progressive clacking and discomfort on the left side during mouth opening. The panoramic image was suggestive of SC. The bilateral lesion was surgically removed by direct access. Histopathological examination confirmed the clinical diagnosis of bilateral SC. This article shows the importance of a multidisciplinary approach for the early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Also, it encourages the referral of such cases to professionals with a greater familiarity with this entity.

Condromatosis Sinovial Primaria de la Articulación Temporomandibular con Extensión a Hueso Temporal. Reporte de un Caso y Revisión de la Literatura / Primary Synovial Chondromatosis of the Temporomandibular Joint with Temporal Bone Extension. Case Report and Literature Review

RESUMEN: La condromatosis sinovial (CS), es una lesión benigna poco frecuente y de clínica bastante inespecífica. Suele afectar articulaciones de huesos largos como la rodilla, el codo y la cadera, presentándose generalmente de manera unilateral. Se cree que solo un 3 % de los casos de CS afecta la articulación temporomandibular. Esta condición se caracteriza por ser un trastorno metaplásico del tejido conectivo sinovial que suele manifestarse con la formación de pequeños y múltiples nódulos de cartílago que posteriormente pueden desprenderse, calcificarse y formar cuerpos libres dentro del espacio articular. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 55 años con condromatosis sinovial de la articulación temporomandibular, tratada desde hace 3 años bajo el diagnóstico de desórdenes temporomandibulares. A pesar de ser considerada una lesión de tipo benigna, esta puede llegar a ser localmente agresiva, extendiéndose como en nuestro reporte hacia la fosa craneal media, adelgazando parte del hueso temporal.

ABSTRACT: Synovial chondromatosis (CS) is a benign lesion that is rare and clinically quite nonspecific. It usually affects the joints of long bones such as the knee, elbow and hip, usually occurring unilaterally. It is believed that in only 3 % of cases of CS the temporomandibular joint. This is a condition its characterized by being a metaplastic synovial connective tissue that manifests itself with the formation of small and multiple cartridges that detach, calcify and form free bodies within the joint space. We present the case of a 55-year-old woman with synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint, treated for 3 years under the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders. Despite being considered a benign lesion, this can become locally aggressive, extending as in our report to the cranial fossa, thinning part of the temporal bone.

Extensive Synovial Chondromatosis Involving All Flexor Tendons in the Tarsal Tunnel: A Case Report / Condromatose sinovial extensa envolvendo todos os tendões do túnel do tarso: relato de caso

Abstract Synovial chondromatosis is a rare condition characterized by benign chondrogenic metaplasia of extra-articular synovial tissue. It usually affects a single tendon sheath of the hand or foot. This report describes a rare case with extensive synovial chondromatosis affecting all flexor tendons in the tarsal tunnel, its radiological features, surgical treatment, and clinical outcome. The authors present a unique case of extensive synovial chondromatosis in a 48-year-old male involving the tendon sheaths of the flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, and posterior tibialis tendons, at the level of the tarsal tunnel, with extension into the plantar aspect of the foot. The patient initially presentedwith symptoms of tarsal tunnel compression and was found to have a 4-cm mass in the posteromedial aspect of the ankle. The presumptive diagnosis of synovial chondromatosiswasmadebased on radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging evidence. The patient underwent surgical resection of the tumor, aswell as tarsal tunnel releaseandgastrocnemius recession. The diagnosiswas confirmed postoperatively by surgical histopathology. The postoperative course of the patient was uncomplicated and his tarsal tunnel symptoms resolved. This represents a case of extensive synovial chondromatosis involving all flexor tendons in the tarsal tunnel that was correctly diagnosed by clinical and imaging findings, which required early surgical resection to avoid long-term neurovascular complications.

Resumo A condromatose sinovial é uma condição rara caracterizada por metaplasia condrogênica benigna do tecido sinovial extra-articular, que geralmente afeta uma única bainha tendínea da mão ou do pé. O objetivo é relatar o caso raro de um paciente com diagnóstico de condromatose sinovial extensa afetando todos os tendões flexores na topografia do túnel do tarso, suas características radiológicas, tratamento cirúrgico e desfecho clínico. Os autores apresentam um caso único de condromatose sinovial extensa em um homem de 48 anos envolvendo as bainhas dos tendões flexor longo do hálux, flexor longo dos dedos e tibial posterior, na topografia do túnel do tarso, com extensão para a região plantar do retropé. O sintoma inicial foi de compressão neurovascular (síndrome do túnel do tarso). A suspeita diagnóstica foi condromatose sinovial com base em evidências radiográficas e de ressonância magnética. O paciente foi submetido a ressecção cirúrgica do tumor, bem como a liberação do túnel tarsal e alongamento do tendão dos gastrocnêmios. O diagnóstico foi confirmado por exame histopatológico do espécime colhido no período intraoperatório. A evolução pósoperatória do paciente ocorreu sem complicações e os sintomas da síndrome do túnel do tarso cessaram. Os autores relatam um caso de condromatose sinovial extensa envolvendo todos os tendões flexores do túnel do tarso, corretamente diagnosticado por achados clínicos e radiológicos e que necessitou de ressecção cirúrgica precoce para evitar complicações neurovasculares em longo prazo.

Condromatose sinovial. Relato de caso / Synovial chondromatosis. Report of a case

Os autores apresentam o caso de um paciente com queixas de dor, bloqueio e crepitaçäo ao nível do joelho esquerdo provenientes de afecçäo infreqüente denominada condromatose sinovial, discutem sua etiopatogenia e o resultado obtido com o tratamento proposto.