Synovial hemangioma of the knee joint--a case report

Synovial haemangioma of the knee: a case report

Synovial haemangioma is a rare but important cause of knee symptoms, which, when undiagnosed, can lead to significant morbidity. Diagnosis is frequently difficult and delayed. We report on a case of synovial haemangioma, which demonstrates the difficulties inherent in diagnosis and the morbidity associated with diagnostic delay, in a young woman. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful tool for diagnosis, but detection on MRI can also be problematic, as shown by this case, demonstrating the need for greater awareness of this condition by both clinicians and radiologists. Arthroscopy is important in both the diagnosis and treatment of these lesions.

Arthropathy of the knee joint caused by synovial hemangioma

Degenerative changes resembling hemophilic arthropathy may be a complication of synovial hemangioma in the knee. It is thought that arthropathy is caused by repeated bleeding episodes similar to the joint disease in hemophilia. Four children aged 4 to 9 years at surgery were treated by anterior open synovectomy for intra-articular synovial hemangiomas. At open surgery the cartilage of all patients showed changes on the surface with yellow hematin staining in all cases, without ulceration in three patients but one, who showed severe degenerative changes at age 9 years. At 15 months follow-up the patient with severe degenerative changes had severely impaired flexion and mild extension deficit. The three others were asymptomatic at 1 to 6 years follow-up. The magnetic resonance images were typical and can be considered pathognomonic; however, the referral diagnosis included the correct diagnosis in none of them. Treatment should be initiated as early as possible to reduce the risk of damage to the cartilage. Treatment by complete open synovectomy in these four patients was performed without significant bleeding problems, and no recurrence was seen.

Synovial involvement in hemangiomatosis

BACKGROUND

Angiodysplastic lesions of the extremities are very often of great interest for the orthopedist, involving not only bones with length discrepancy, but also joints with hemarthrosis and synovial hypertrophy.

METHODS

We describe 4 patients with cutaneous hemangiomatosis in the lower limb and a concomitant knee arthropathy. Like in other arthropathies, the articular damage is rapidly invasive and leads to progressive damage in the joint if not adequately diagnosed and treated. We treated the 4 patients at different ages, corresponding to different stages of intra-articular involvement. The preoperative management included MRI and diagnostic arthroscopy. All patients underwent an open synovectomy. All our patients were reviewed at a clinical and radiographic follow-up after 10 years.

RESULTS

In all patients, the range of motion was improved or at least not worsened after surgery, in spite of a larger extent of cutaneous lesions. X-ray and MRI confirmed clinical data showing no recurrence of the lesion inside the joint and no progression of the articular damage.

CONCLUSION

The clinical outcomes were very good or good in the patients treated early, poorer in the patient operated on at an adult age. The importance of an early and precise diagnosis and of an accurate preoperative planning must be underlined.

Intra-articular hemangioma of the knee with meniscal and bony attachment

A hemangioma in the knee joint of a 37-year-old woman was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. The case presented with pain and a tender localized swelling lateral to the patellar tendon. Arthroscopy verified the diagnosis but did not allow visualization of the full extent of the tumor. After arthroscopic subtotal excision of the associated hypertrophic medial plica, a miniarthrotomy was done. The tumor was attached to the periphery of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus, to the anterior tibial plateau, and to the fat pad. It seemed to take its origin from the venous plexus just below the anterior lip of the central tibial plateau. The patient was asymptomatic 9 months after surgery. In hemangiomas not amenable to arthroscopic surgery, open excision through miniarthrotomy ensures complete removal without prolonging recovery.

Synovial haemangioma of the knee: a frequently misdiagnosed lesion

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the diagnosis and surgical planning of five cases of synovial haemangioma of the knee.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The clinical, radiological and arthroscopic features of five pathologically proven synovial haemangiomas of the knee were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

A diagnostic delay, on average of 8 years, had occurred in four of the cases. Plain films were unremarkable, except for one case with arthropathy mimicking haemophilia, Arteriography, performed in three patients, was normal in one. CT, performed in three patients, showed the lesion, but the extent of the latter was better demonstrated with MR imaging. Synovial haemangiomas had a high signal intensity of T2-weighted images, without any extensive mass effect. Fibrofatty septa within the lesion were observed in three cases and muscular and/or fatty invasion in two. Arthroscopy allowed diagnosis of the lesion in two cases, but showed only nonspecific synovitis in another two.

CONCLUSION

This study emphasizes the valuable contribution of MR imaging in the diagnosis and surgical planning of synovial haemangiomas.

Synovial hemangioma--a rare benign synovial tumor. Report of four cases

We report our clinical experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of four patients with synovial hemangiomata. Synovial hemangiomata are rare causes of recurrent, nonspecific joint complaints and occur most often at the knee joint. Nontraumatic joint swelling combined with recurrent, possibly hemorrhagic joint effusions must be considered signs of a synovial hemangioma. Although no preoperative diagnostic tool enables confirmation of the diagnosis, and MRI seems to be the diagnostic procedure of first choice, it is most important fact for the clinician to be aware of the existence of this disease. Early surgical treatment with excision of the tumor within wide margins of noninvolved normal synovial tissue as partial or total synovectomy is the therapy of choice and avoids degenerative changes as demonstrated with the four cases reported here.

Synovial haemangioma of the knee joint

Synovial haemangioma of joints are rare, but usually affect the knee joints of children and adolescents. Recurrent swelling, usually due to haemarthrosis, and intermittent pain may be present for a long time before the diagnosis is made. In this case report the common features of the condition are described, with emphasis on the occurrence of atraumatic haemarthrosis in children. The value of arthroscopy in diagnosis is discussed.

Recurrent spontaneous haemarthrosis of the knee associated with a synovial and juxta-articular haemangiohamartoma

Several spontaneous episodes of haemarthroses of the knee in a young man led to repeated arthroscopic examinations and one arthrotomy of the affected joint until a juxta-articular haemangiohamartoma was indicated by angiogram. Excision of the malformation stopped the bleeding tendency.

Arthroscopic excision of synovial hemangioma of the knee

A synovial hemangioma in the knee joint of a 33-year old woman was diagnosed and removed arthroscopically. Preoperatively, this rare benign soft tissue lesion had caused recurrent swelling of the knee along with persistent pain and occasional buckling. Two years after surgery, the patient has a painless range of motion with no evidence of recurrence.

Arthroscopy and synovial hemangioma or giant cell tumour of the knee

A synovial hemangioma was localized in two knees and a xanthomatous giant cell tumour in one knee by arthroscopy. It is concluded, that synovial hemangiomas will be discovered earlier and more frequently by arthroscopy. Intraarticular hemangiomas may be operated at once, but in case of hemangiomas of intermediate type an angiography is recommended.