Beger AW, Millard JA, Bresnehan A, Dudzik B, Kunigelis S. Primary synovial chondromatosis: an elemental investigation of a rare skeletal pathology.
Folia Morphol (Warsz) 2021;
81:685-693. [PMID:
34060645 DOI:
10.5603/fm.a2021.0054]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Primary synovial chondromatosis (PSC) is a rare idiopathic pathology characterized by the formation of osseocartilaginous nodules within synovial joints, tendons, or bursae. The mineralization pattern of PSC nodules is poorly understood and has yet to be investigated using elemental analysis. Mapping this pattern could elucidate the progression of the disease.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
PSC nodules discovered during dissection of a formalin fixed donor were analyzed. Scanning electron microscopy paired with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) was used to quantify calcium and phosphorus levels to distinguish mineralized components from cartilage, indicated by increased carbon and oxygen concentrations.
RESULTS
Nine nodules with average dimensions 1.76cm x 1.25cm were identified in the semimembranosus bursa. SEM-EDS demonstrated increased calcium phosphate levels in nodular cores, while outer margins contained primarily carbon and oxygen. Quantification of these elements revealed nodular peripheries to contain 68.0% carbon, 30.2% oxygen, 0.8% calcium, and 1.0% phosphate, while cores were comprised of 38.1% carbon, 42.1% oxygen, 14.1% calcium, and 5.7% phosphate.
CONCLUSIONS
Nodules were found to have mineralized cores embedded within a cartilaginous matrix. This pattern suggests disease progression is facilitated by endochondral ossification, opening the potential for new therapeutic techniques.
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