title: Recurrence of synovial chondromatosis of the Hoffa's body.
abstract: Synovial chondromatosis of Hoffa's body is uncommon. Recurrences usually result from incomplete removal of the loose bodies or diseased synovium at the initial surgery. We report a patient with synovial chondromatosis localized into the Hoffa's body who presented with anterior knee pain and mechanical symptoms. At the first arthroscopy, all pathological tissue was removed. At 1-year follow-up, clinical and radiographic examinations were normal. Symptoms recurred at 3 years, when a bony mass in the Hoffa's body was evident on MRI. The mass was removed through a mini-arthrotomy. Histology excluded malignancy. At 10-year follow-up, the patient remained free of symptoms. Synovial chondromatosis can occur with unusual patterns of recurrence. The growth of a large size mass confined to fat pad without intra-articular involvement does not allow to exclude the diagnosis of recurrent synovial chondromatosis.
authors: Unit of Arthroscopy and Sports Trauma Surgery, Hesperia Hospital, Via Arquà 80/b, Modena, Italy.
authors: Leonardo
authors: L
authors: Osti
authors: Rocco
authors: R
authors: Papalia
authors: Angelo
authors: A
authors: Del Buono
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Denaro
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Maffulli
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy; D015838:Chondromatosis, Synovial / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence