"Shoulder pain and limitation of motion in a young girl: think different".

BACKGROUND: Primary Synovial Chondromatosis (PSC) is a rare benign tumor of the synovial membrane in which cartilage metaplasia produces calcific loose bodies within the articular space. Only a few cases are reported in the pediatric population and its etiology remains unknown. This condition typically affects large weight-bearing joints with pain, swelling and decrease range of motion. Due to its slow progressions, delayed diagnosis is frequent and differential diagnosis should consider other chronic arthritis and malignancies. While arthroscopic removal of loose bodies is the current treatment up to now, the association of partial or complete synovectomy is debated. CASE PRESENTATION: We report about a 14-year-old girl with a long-lasting right shoulder pain, especially during movements or exercise, localized tenderness and hypotonia of the glenohumeral joint. No previous trauma was mentioned. Blood exams, Mantoux test and plain radiography of the right shoulder were unremarkable. Ultrasound imaging revealed echogenic and calcified bodies stretching the glenohumeral joint and dislocating the long head of biceps tendon. Magnetic resonance showed a "rice-grain" pattern of the right shoulder. From an arthroscopic surgery, multiple loose white bodies were removed within the synovial membrane, and synovial chondromatosis was confirmed by histological analysis. At one month follow up visit, the patient completely recovered without pain. CONCLUSION: Synovial chondromatosis is a very uncommon cause of mono articular pain in children, especially when it affects shoulder. Pediatricians should keep in mind this condition to avoid delayed diagnosis and treatment, even in consideration of the low risk of malignant transformation. Through this case, we would highlight common diagnostic pitfalls and treatment of synovial chondromatosis.

Determining the factors influencing the symptoms related to naviculo-medial cuneiform coalition.

PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the factors that influence the symptoms of naviculo-cuneiform (NC) coalition using radiography and computed tomography (CT). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the radiographic and CT findings of 37 NC coalition cases. The existence of a large pit (depth >3 mm), irregular articular surface, joint space narrowing, dorsal bony spur, subchondral sclerosis, multiple subchondral bony cysts, and intra-articular loose body were evaluated on radiographs or CT. The size of the largest subchondral bony cyst was also measured using CT. All cases were divided into two subgroups according to the symptoms. Fisher's exact test was used to distinguish the factors influencing the symptoms. RESULTS: Twenty-three and fourteen feet were enrolled into the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups, respectively. The rates of the large pit on either radiograph (47.83 vs. 21.43%) or CT (65.22 vs. 28.57%) were significantly different between both groups ( p = 0.001). The mean size of the largest subchondral bony cyst on CT was also significantly greater in the symptomatic group (4.25 vs. 1.53 mm, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: A large deep pit and huge subchondral bony cyst on the radiograph or CT can be related to symptoms for the patient with NC coalition. A CT is highly recommended for a more accurate evaluation in patients with NC coalition.

Surgical treatment of marginal osteochondral impaction in acetabular fractures.

PURPOSE: Clinical and radiological evaluation of the results of the technique of elevation and grafting of osteochondral marginal impaction fragment of posterior wall acetabular fractures. METHODS: Twenty patients available for this study had fracture acetabulum with marginal impaction fragment. Elevation, reduction and bone graft impaction of the defect were the technique in all cases. Follow-up was at least for 1 year. Evaluation of patient was done clinically by modified Merle d'Aubigné and Postel score and radiologically by Matta's criteria of reduction quality and that of radiological hip evaluation. Ficat criteria for avascular necrosis and Brocker criteria were used for evaluation of heterotopic ossification. RESULTS: Radiologically, according to the Matta's criteria of reduction quality there were anatomic reduction in 16 patients (80%) and satisfactory reduction in 4 patients (20%). Clinical assessments based on modified Merle d'Aubigné and Postel score include 4 (20%) excellent scores, 12 (80%) good scores, 3 (15%) fair results and poor in one patient who had revision by total hip replacement. CONCLUSION: Diagnose of marginal impaction fragment preoperatively makes operative technique by elevation, reduction, bone graft packing and fixation mandatory to obtain anatomic reduction and favorable outcome. This technique should be completed before final fixation of the main fracture acetabulum.

A case of Candida septic arthritis with rice body formation in a 2-month-old infant.

We present a case of rice body formation in the left knee joint of a 2-month-old infant affected by Candida albicans septic arthritis which has never been reported before. Rice body formation has been described in association with rheumatoid or tuberculous arthritis and is very rare in Candida arthritis. After three weeks of therapy with amphotericin B administered intravenously, the infant recovered fully from infection. Septic arthritis is a serious cause of morbidity and for proper evaluation and treatment fungal septic arthritis should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Osteochondritis dissecans with a large osteochondral free body in the posterolateral compartment of the knee: a case report.

A large osteochondral fragment trapped in the posterolateral compartment of a knee was removed from a posteromedial portal through the trans-septal portal and fixed on an osteochondral defect of the lateral femoral condyle in a 16 year-old boy. When a free body in the posterolateral compartment is so large that enlargement of the portal site is required for removal, doing so from a posteromedial portal is safer and easier than from a posterolateral portal.

Unusual cases of elbow locking due to synovial cysts: a report of two cases.

Sudden and intermittent locking of the elbow joint is a com- mon complaint among patients who commonly demonstrate degenerative changes in the elbow. Common causes of elbow locking include acute trauma, osteochondritis dessicans, synovial chondromatosis, and osteoarthritis. Two cases involving patients with symptoms of elbow locking secondary to reasons other than loose bodies within the joint are presented: a synovial cyst within the posterior aspect of the elbow, specifically within the olecranon fossa causing their painful symptoms of locking. These cases present unique features in the diagnostic approaches of elbow locking due to the unexpected association with synovial cysts. We believe that these findings can shed new light on the pathogenesis of this disease.

Fibroblast growth factor 2 involved in the pathogenesis of synovial chondromatosis of temporomandibular joint.

BACKGROUND: Synovial chondromatosis (SC) of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a rare proliferative disorder characterized by the formation of cartilaginous or osteocartilaginous nodules in synovium and joint space. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) is frequently applied in chondrogenic differentiation assays. Therefore, we hypothesized that FGF-2 might involved in the pathogenesis of SC. METHODS: SC synovium and loose bodies (LBs) specimens were observed by histological and immunohistochemical methods. Real-time PCR was conducted for comparing genes expressions in SC and normal synovium. SC synoviocytes were stimulated by FGF-2 in the presence or absence of its antagonist long pentraxin-3 (PTX3) for 6 days. Real-time PCR and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were performed to examine the effects exerted by FGF-2 and PTX3. RESULTS: SC synovium, no matter facing the articular cavity or covering LB, was characterized by increased quantity of synoviocytes and blood vessels. FGF-2 was expressed in chondrocytes and fibroblast-like cells of LBs, and the wall of blood vessels. Expressions of chondrogenic genes (Sox9 and Wnt-4), osteogenic genes (Foxc2), FGF-2, and VEGF-A mRNA were significantly higher in SC synovium than that of the control group. The stimulation of FGF-2 on SC synoviocytes increased ALP activity and expressions of chondrogenic genes (Sox9, Col2α1, and Aggrecan), osteogenic genes (Foxc2, osteocalcin, and Col1α1), and VEGF-A, but PTX3 inhibited these effects. CONCLUSION: FGF-2 was responsible for the formation of cartilaginous loose bodies and involved in the pathogenesis of SC.

Synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint: a case report and literature review.

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) is a pathologic condition in which mesenchymal tissue rests in a given synovial membrane undergo a metaplastic process, ultimately producing and secreting cartilaginous bodies into the joint space. It is more commonly discussed in the orthopedic literature, since the axial skeleton is the most frequently affected. Although rare, it does occur within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), with approximately 100 cases previously being described. Within the TMJ, its presentation can be variable, though most cases will show it to be unilateral with fixed and/or loose cartilaginous bodies confined to the superior joint space. Clinically, patients may present with symptoms similar to that of an internal derangement disorder, including pain, clicking, tenderness, functional limitations, and swelling. A thorough history and physical examination, along with proper radiographic examination, are paramount in properly diagnosing SC. Treatment options consist of arthroscopy, arthrotomy with synovectomy, excision of cartilaginous bodies, and possible discectomy. In the current paper, the authors describe the presentation, diagnosis, and surgical management of a SC case involving the right TMJ in a 31-year-old Caucasian female.

Arthroscopically-assisted removal of retained loose bodies in acute acetabular fractures: a modified technique.

Arthroscopically-assisted extraction of loose bodies retained in a hip joint after hip dislocation or acetabular fracture in the acute setting remains controversial. This article describes a practical and reproducible arthroscopically assisted modified anterior approach for extracting loose bodies from a hip joint. This approach may be used in the acute dislocation or fracture setting.

Screw fixation of an OCD loose body: 21-year results.

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions can progress to loose body formation for which treatment is controversial and may involve excision or fixation. There is a paucity of published data regarding long-term outcomes following OCD loose body fixation. This case report presents an interval follow-up of a patient from a previous small case series of individuals who underwent open reduction internal fixation of large, lateral OCD loose bodies. At 21-year follow-up the patient has full, pain-free range of motion, and has not required subsequent surgery. This case, to our knowledge, is the first to report over 20-year follow-up from fixation of an OCD loose body and demonstrates a good long-term outcome. Clinicians should consider replacement and fixation of an OCD loose body when possible, as this may provide the best chance of long-term function.

Loose body following cross-pin fixation for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

We report a case of loosening of a bioabsorbable cross-pin fixation device for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Forty-two months following a bone tendon bone reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament, the patient presented with a subcutaneous collection in the medial side of the knee. At subsequent surgery, a RIGIDFIX cross-pin fixator (Mitek, Westwood, MA, USA) was retrieved, intact, from the sterile fluctuant mass around the superomedial aspect of the knee. The graft was stable both radiologically and clinically, and the patient remains symptom free. This case raises concern about the use of this smooth cross-pin fixator and the consequences of backing out and the resultant intraarticular loose body. We suggest consideration of a loose body if the patient becomes symptomatic postoperatively, and early intervention to prevent chondral damage is recommended.

Extra-osseous tenosynovial chondromatosis of the middle finger: a case report.

Extra-osseous tenosynovial chondromatosis is rare and has a high rate of local recurrence. We report a 23-year-old man who presented with a 6-month history of pain and swelling of the right middle finger and painful limitation of the ring finger flexion secondary to this condition. Surgical exploration revealed multiple loose bodies of varying size arising from the flexor tendon sheath. Histopathological examination revealed mature chondroid tissue and focal calcification. After 2 years of follow-up, the patient had achieved an excellent functional recovery and showed no evidence of recurrence.

Pathomechanical significance of radial head subluxation in the onset of osteochondritis dissecans of the radial head.

Osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow mainly involves the capitellum; however, no authors have reported the condition in the radial head with subluxation of the radial head. We report four cases in which osteochondritis dissecans involved the radial head and was accompanied by radial head subluxation. All patients were male and their ages ranged from 11 to 13 years (average, 11.8 years). All lesions were located at the posteromedial aspect of the radial head with anterior subluxation of the radial head. Fragment removal was performed in one case and ulnar osteotomy in two cases; the remaining case was treated conservatively with the prohibition of sports. Three cases had a good outcome, whereas obvious anterior subluxation of the radial head and limitation of elbow flexion remained in the case treated with fragment removal.

Arthroscopic De Novo NT(®) juvenile allograft cartilage implantation in the talus: a case presentation.

Osteochondral defects of the talus are a challenging subject facing foot and ankle surgeons. The available treatment options have relatively good subjective outcomes; however, they are limited by the ability to reproduce hyaline cartilage, the need for multiple surgeries, and high morbidity. We present a new technique using DeNovo NT(®) juvenile allograft cartilage implantation introduced into a talar lesion arthroscopically in a single procedure to repair a posteriomedial talar osteochondral defects in a healthy, active 30-year-old female. The patient tolerated the procedure well. At the 6-month follow-up visit, the patient had returned to full activity, and at 24 months, she remained completely pain free.

Posteromedial elbow impingement: magnetic resonance imaging findings in overhead throwing athletes and results of arthroscopic treatment.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to define the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pattern and assess the results of arthroscopic treatment of posteromedial elbow impingement in overhead throwers. METHODS: Over an 8-year period, 9 throwing athletes diagnosed with posteromedial elbow impingement were retrospectively identified. All patients had either a noncontrast or direct arthrogram-MRI study that was reviewed by a single, fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologist blinded to the clinical diagnosis. Arthroscopic treatment included debridement of posteromedial synovitis, loose body removal, and excision of the olecranon spur. All patients underwent a physical examination and completion of the Andrews-Carson scale at a mean of 68 months (range, 25 to 112 months). RESULTS: All patients were male, with a mean age of 21.0 years (range, 17 to 34 years). The dominant arm was affected in all patients. The mean length of symptoms before surgery was 9 months (range, 5 to 24 months). At MRI, a reproducible pattern of pathology was noted. All patients had pathology at the articular surfaces of the posterior trochlea and the anterior, medial olecranon. The findings ranged from abnormal edema-like signal in the hyaline cartilage to cartilage defects and subjacent, subchondral bone marrow edema. Findings at surgery included posteromedial synovitis and olecranon spurring in all patients and loose bodies in 3 patients. On the basis of the Andrews-Carson scale, the subjective and objective outcome was considered excellent in 7 patients and good in 2. CONCLUSIONS: Posteromedial elbow impingement is a source of disability in the overhead throwing athlete. Correlation of history and physical examination with imaging findings is essential to confirm the diagnosis. This study indicates that MRI identifies a reproducible pattern of pathology in throwing athletes with this disorder. These MRI findings correlate highly with arthroscopic evaluation. Arthroscopic debridement, olecranon spur excision, and loose body removal allow return to throwing sports and reliable subjective and objective results in carefully selected patients.

Tibial plateau fracture after primary anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a case report.

Tibial plateau fracture after primary anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is rare. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a tibial plateau fracture after primary anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction. In our patient the tibial plateau fracture occurred after a torsional injury to the involved extremity. The fracture occurred 4.5 years after the ACL reconstruction. The fracture was intra-articular Schatzker type IV and had a significant displacement. The patient was treated operatively by open reduction-internal fixation. He recovered well.

Injuries about the hip in the adolescent athlete.

Athletic injuries in or around the hip in the adolescent athlete encompass possible causes such as a single, traumatic event to those of repetitive microtrauma. The injuries may involve the bone or the soft tissues, with former involving the epiphysis, apophysis, metaphysis, or diaphysis, whereas the latter includes muscles and tendons. With the improvements in surgical technique and instrumentation for hip arthroscopy and the development of magnetic resonance arthrography, clinicians have been able to diagnose and treat labral tears, hip instability, snapping hip, loose bodies, chondral injuries, and femoroacetabular impingement. The clinician needs to consider acquired conditions that may have coincidentally become apparent as a result of the adolescent's participation in an organized sports program. These include slipped capital femoral epiphysis, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, and pathologic lesions and fractures. This study reviews the more common acute and chronic overuse injuries in or around the hip in the adolescent athlete and discusses hip injury prevention in this active patient population.

Delayed intra-articular migration of the IntraFix outer sheath after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a case report.

We describe a case of foreign body synovitis caused by delayed intra-articular migration of the outer sheath 5 months after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with a quadrupled tibialis allograft tendon using the IntraFix device for tibial fixation. The postoperative course was unremarkable. At 5 months after surgery, the patient experienced a sudden catching sensation and a slight pain without any obvious twisting or trauma. At 6 months after surgery, extension deficit was 20°. At arthroscopy, intra-articular migration of the outer sheath from the tibial tunnel and reactive synovitis were observed. The outer sheath in the joint and the inner screw in the tibial tunnel were removed successfully. The ACL graft was well incorporated under good tension. Patient was able to return to her previous level of all daily activities with no further episodes of swelling. To our knowledge, described here is the only case of foreign body synovitis due to intra-articular migration of the unbroken sheath.

[Secondary synovial chondromatosis of the ankle joint]. / Sekundäre synoviale Chondromatose des oberen Sprunggelenks.

Synovial chondromatosis of the ankle is a rare condition, particularly secondary chondromatosis. In view of a possible traumatic pathogenesis, chondromatosis should be kept in mind in daily trauma and orthopedics practice. Diagnostic imaging gives a first indication. The key to differentiating between the primary and secondary forms is histological identification. This case shows the necessity of exact differentiation, even in cases of a causal link with a specific injury.