Synovial Chondromatosis

Background

This is a distinctive disorder of the joint spaces. It is characterized by a proliferation of islands of cartilage arising from the synovium within a joint space or tendon sheath. There is no accompanying arthritis. There may be hundreds of loose bodies ranging from 1-2 mm to several centimeters.

HISTOLOGICAL TYPES CHARACTERIZATION

General Nodular foci of chondrometaplasia within the synovium
Disorganized clumps of cartilage cells with some cytologic atypia

VARIANTS

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS KEY DIFFERENTIATING FEATURES

Secondary chondromatosis More comon occurring in association with osteoarthritis and traumatic loose bodies
Usually more orderly appearance of the cartilage

PROGNOSIS AND TREATMENT CHARACTERIZATION

Prognostic Factors Pressure erosion of the adjacent bone may occur leading to confusion with chondrosarcoma

Recurrence Frequent after excision

Treatment Excision

Hum Pathol 1979;10:439

Commonly Used Terms

Bones and Joints

Last Updated 8/15/2001

HISTOLOGICAL TYPES	CHARACTERIZATION
General	Nodular foci of chondrometaplasia within the synovium Disorganized clumps of cartilage cells with some cytologic atypia
VARIANTS

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS	KEY DIFFERENTIATING FEATURES
Secondary chondromatosis	More comon occurring in association with osteoarthritis and traumatic loose bodies Usually more orderly appearance of the cartilage

PROGNOSIS AND TREATMENT	CHARACTERIZATION
Prognostic Factors	Pressure erosion of the adjacent bone may occur leading to confusion with chondrosarcoma
Recurrence	Frequent after excision
Treatment	Excision