The case of a 22-year-old man with synovial chondromatosis (SC) of the shoulder joint is described. A literature review confirmed that SC of the glenohumeral joint is very rare and that the etiology of the disease is still unknown. The diagnosis is often delayed, and the preferred form of management remains controversial. We consider magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) a valuable tool in detecting SC at an early phase and estimating the intrasynovial extent of the disease. Shoulder arthroscopy today represents an elegant treatment option for removing the chondromas and performing a partial synovectomy. It might, however, be insufficent in cases of involvement of the bicipital tendon sheath and other recesses of the joint.
In patients with posteroinferior shoulder instability, good results can be obtained with the arthroscopic treatment of all identified pathologies. Categorization into one of four subgroups might be a valuable tool regarding the choice of the operative treatment options.
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