Fact-sheet: Soft-tissue chondroma
Updated on 08/23/2017 at 6:42 AM
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Definition
Intracapsular chondroma: rare diagnosis.
- Arises from extrasynovial metaplasia. Chondromas are initially embedded within the synovium and may subsequently be released into the joint cavity. Often multiple and small in size.
Clinical features
Intracapsular chondroma may present with mechanical pain suggestive of the diagnosis when associated with locking episodes, or with a palpable intra-articular effusion or foreign bodies in cases of superficial location.
Radiography
Its visibility depends on its degree of ossification and calcification.
CT
Intra-articular chondromas are "outlined" on CT arthrography.
MRI
Hypo- or isointense on T1
Variable T2 signal:
- hyperintense: chondroid matrix and edema
- hypointense: calcification or ossification.
After contrast injection, the synovium frequently enhances and allows "outlining" of chondromas that are difficult to see without injection.
Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnoses of intracapsular chondroma:
- Fat lobules (physiologic)
- Pigmented villonodular synovitis
- Synovial hemangioma
- Hemosiderin deposits following hemarthrosis.