Synovial Chondromatosis of Distal Radioulnar Joint with Osteoarthropathic Changes

Abstract

Objective Synovial chondromatosis (SC) is relatively rare, but it often occurs in large joints and can cause osteoarthropathic (OA) changes if left untreated. It is extremely rare for this condition to occur around the wrist joint. We present a case treated by osteophyte resection for restriction of the forearm rotation caused by SC and the resulting OA changes in the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ).

Case Description A 50-year-old woman had progressive OA changes due to SC in the DRUJ, and restriction of forearm rotation. Thorough excision of SC and osteophytes through the dorsal and palmar approaches of the wrist improved the range of rotation of the forearm with no recurrence.

Literature Review Although there have been scattered reports of SC occurring in the DRUJ, there have been no reports of management for restriction of forearm rotation caused by OA changes.

Clinical Relevance For SC in DRUJ, it is important to make an early definitive diagnosis and perform a synovectomy to prevent the progression of OA changes. Osteophyte resection is effective in the treatment of restriction of the joint motion caused by secondary OA changes.

Keywords

synovial chondromatosis - osteoarthropathic changes - distal radioulnar joint - resection of osteophyte

The location where the work was performed: Shonan Central Hospital.

Publication History

Received: 17 August 2023

Accepted: 16 January 2024

Article published online:
06 February 2024

• References

• 1 Felbel J, Gresser U, Lohmöller G, Zöllner N. Familial synovial chondromatosis combined with dwarfism. Hum Genet 1992; 88 (03) 351-354
• 2 Reverté Vinaixa MM, Singh R, Monyart JM. et al. Wrist synovial chondromatosis: case report and literature review. Hand Surg 2012; 17 (02) 233-238
• 3 Wong SH, Salama S, Thoma A. Synovial chondromatosis of the hand: three case reports and literature review. Can J Plast Surg 2003; 11 (01) 47-52
• 4 Slesarenko YA, Hurst LC, Dagum AB. Synovial chondromatosis of the distal radioulnar joint. Hand Surg 2004; 9 (02) 241-243
• 5 Maurice H, Crone M, Watt I. Synovial chondromatosis. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1988; 70 (05) 807-811
• 6 Ackerman D, Lett P, Galat Jr DD, Parvizi J, Stuart MJ. Results of total hip and total knee arthroplasties in patients with synovial chondromatosis. J Arthroplasty 2008; 23 (03) 395-400
• 7 AlRashed AH, Almustafa MA, AlKhars AF, Almuslami AY, AlSaeed MN. A rare case of synovial chondromatosis of distal radio-ulnar joint. Int J Surg Case Rep 2022; 95: 107149
• 8 Milgram JW. Synovial osteochondromatosis: a histopathological study of thirty cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1977; 59 (06) 792-801
• 9 Ko E, Mortimer E, Fraire AE. Extraarticular synovial chondromatosis: review of epidemiology, imaging studies, microscopy and pathogenesis, with a report of an additional case in a child. Int J Surg Pathol 2004; 12 (03) 273-280
• 10 Lee SK, Choy WS, Lee KW, Bae KJ. Synovial chondromatosis of the radiocarpal joint. Orthopedics 2008; 31 (08) 811
• 11 Mora R, Soldini A, Raschellà F, Paparella F, Belluati A, Basile G. Primitive synovial chondromatosis of the hip joint. Ital J Orthop Traumatol 1992; 18 (02) 231-239