ABSTRACT
In patients with hemophilia, hemarthrosis often occurs in one or several joints and
may progress to a destructive, disabling arthropathy. Treatment includes continuous
or on-demand clotting factor replacement and radionuclide or open synovectomy. The
radiographic findings of hemophilic arthropathy depend on the stage of disease, the
age of the patient at onset, and the joint involved. These findings include joint
effusion, soft tissue swelling, epiphyseal overgrowth, subchondral cysts, osseous
erosion, and secondary degenerative changes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the
most accurate imaging modality for assessing hemophilic arthropathy and may have a
significant impact on patient management. MRI is anticipated to be useful in documenting
early joint changes when treatment may be most effective. Hemophilic pseudotumor is
a chronic, encapsulated, hemorrhagic fluid collection that usually destroys bone and
may become quite large. Both computed tomography and MRI are useful in determining
the extent of this lesion.
KEYWORDS
Hemophilia - hemarthrosis - hemophilia - pseudotumor - magnetic resonance imaging
- computed tomography
