ABSTRACT
Two male patients, aged 44 and 88 years, presented with complaints of restricted joint movement, a growing swelling, and pain in the elbow and ankle joints, respectively. Radiographs showed cartilaginous nodules in the affected joints and minimal chondral damage. Magnetic resonance findings were consistent with synovial chondromatosis. Both patients underwent removal of loose bodies by open arthrotomy and partial synovectomy. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis. No recurrences were detected within a follow-up period of at least a year.
Subject(s)
Ankle , Chondromatosis, Synovial/diagnosis , Elbow Joint , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Ankle/surgery , Chondromatosis, Synovial/diagnostic imaging , Chondromatosis, Synovial/pathology , Chondromatosis, Synovial/surgery , Diagnosis, Differential , Elbow Joint/surgery , Humans , Male , Radiography , Range of Motion, ArticularABSTRACT
Alkoptunuria is an inherited autosomal recessive metabolic disorder which is caused by the lack of homogentisic acid-oxidase enzyme. It is associated with various systemic abnormalities and related to the deposition of homogentisic acid pigment in connective tissues. These pigmentary changes are termed "ochronosis". We describe two patients with ochronotic arthritis who presented with advanced degenerative changes in the lumbo-sacral spine, knee and hip. The literature, differential diagnosis and management of this rare condition are reviewed in this article.
