Lipoma Arborescens of the Elbow: Case Report

Synovial Lipomatosis With Extra-articular Extension in the Arthritic Wrist

“…Synovial lipomatosis, also called lipoma arborescens, is a rare disease characterized by villous proliferation of the synovium and diffuse replacement of subsynovial tissue by mature fat cells. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Synovial lipomatosis is more common in men and is reported in patients aged 9 to 66 years, with a median age of 50 years. 4,5,7,8 The pathophysiology of synovial lipomatosis has not been clearly delineated, but it appears to be associated with trauma and systemic conditions such as degenerative joint disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and juvenile spondyloarthropathy.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Synovial lipomatosis is more common in men and is reported in patients aged 9 to 66 years, with a median age of 50 years. 4,5,7,8 The pathophysiology of synovial lipomatosis has not been clearly delineated, but it appears to be associated with trauma and systemic conditions such as degenerative joint disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and juvenile spondyloarthropathy. 4,5,7,9,10 It is thought that adolescent patients exhibit a primary idiopathic form of the disease, while older individuals exhibit a secondary process.…”

“…4,5,7,8 The pathophysiology of synovial lipomatosis has not been clearly delineated, but it appears to be associated with trauma and systemic conditions such as degenerative joint disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and juvenile spondyloarthropathy. 4,5,7,9,10 It is thought that adolescent patients exhibit a primary idiopathic form of the disease, while older individuals exhibit a secondary process. 3,7 The differential diagnosis for synovial lipomatosis includes synovial or intra-articular lipoma, pigmented villonodular synovitis, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculous arthritis, gouty arthropathy, synovial osteochondromatosis, and synovial hemangioma.…”

“…3,7 The differential diagnosis for synovial lipomatosis includes synovial or intra-articular lipoma, pigmented villonodular synovitis, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculous arthritis, gouty arthropathy, synovial osteochondromatosis, and synovial hemangioma. 3,5,8,11 Synovial lipomatosis most commonly affects the knee 1,3,5,6,9-12 and is usually monoarticular. 5,9,12 The classic presentation is a painless joint with progressive swelling over many months or years; pain, restriction of joint range of motion, or joint effusion typically presents late.…”

“…3,5,8,11 Synovial lipomatosis most commonly affects the knee 1,3,5,6,9-12 and is usually monoarticular. 5,9,12 The classic presentation is a painless joint with progressive swelling over many months or years; pain, restriction of joint range of motion, or joint effusion typically presents late. 2,4,5,7,8,10,12 The correct diagnosis of synovial lipomatosis is made based on the patient history, laboratory tests, and imaging.…”