Intra-articular synovial hemangioma; a rare cause of knee pain and swelling.
BACKGROUND
Synovial hemangioma is a rare intra-articular benign tumor that is difficult to diagnose because of its nonspecific symptoms. Patients are generally children or young adults with a nontraumatic recurrent swollen painful knee.


METHODS
A 24-year-old woman presented with a 20-year history of recurrent pain and swelling in the right knee. Physical examination revealed a small painful point adjacent to the medial side of the patella. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intra-articular tumor. After arthroscopic examination, surgical excision was performed. The histology was characteristic of synovial hemangioma.


RESULTS
Open complete synovectomy of the circumscribed capillary hemangioma was successful, and the patient remains asymptomatic 2 years after surgery.
Okahashi
Kohjirou
K
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Saiseikai Nara Hospital, 4-643 Hachijo, Nara-shi, 6308145 Nara, Japan. okahashi@mub.biglobe.ne.jp
Sugimoto
Kazuya
K
Iwai
Makoto
M
Tanaka
Motonari
M
Fujisawa
Yoshiyuki
Y
Takakura
Yoshinori
Y
D000328:Adult; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000209:etiology; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint; D013583:Synovial Membrane