Humans ; Chondromatosis, Synovial/pathology* ; Chondrosarcoma/pathology*

Cartilage and giant cell-related neoplastic lesions originating in the temporomandibular joint region have similar clinical, imaging and pathological manifestations, making the diagnosis of these disorders challenging to varying degrees. Diagnostic findings can influence treatment procedures and a definitive pathological diagnosis is important for the prognosis of these conditions. In this article, we discuss the pathological diagnosis and differentiation of four benign cartilage and giant cell related tumors and tumor-like lesions that occur in the temporomandibular joint, namely synovial chondromatosis, tumoral calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, pigmented villonodular synovitis and chondroblastoma, taking into account their clinical features and histological manifestations, with a view to providing a basis for clinical management.
Humans ; Temporomandibular Joint/pathology* ; Chondromatosis, Synovial/pathology* ; Synovitis, Pigmented Villonodular/pathology* ; Giant Cells/pathology* ; Cartilage

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the value of arthroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJSC). METHODS: The cases of 16 patients preliminarily diagnosed with TMJSC by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from July 2011 to December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. If the diagnosis was confirmed by arthroscopy, the opening operation was performed. The preoperative MRI, arthroscopy and opening operation, postoperative pathology and postoperative MRI of confirmed cases were analyzed, and clinical follow-up was performed to evaluate the curative effect of open surgery. The degree of mouth opening and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain pre-operation and during follow-up of the confirmed cases were analyzed by RESULTS: Fourteen cases of TMJSC were diagnosed by arthroscopy, consistent with the postoperative pathological diagnosis. Postoperative MRI examination showed that articular cavity lesions basically disappeared. Ten patients with synovial chondromatosis were followed-up (follow-up rate, 71.4%) from 6 months to 7 years and 8 months (average follow-up time, 17.6 months); no recurrence was found, and clinical symptoms improved by varying degrees. Before operation and at follow-up, CONCLUSIONS Arthroscopy is essential in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ synovial chondromatosis.
Arthroscopy ; Chondromatosis, Synovial/surgery* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in the synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJSC), and to discuss the possible interactions between COMP, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β3, TGF-β1 and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in the development of this neoplastic disease. METHODS: Patients in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from January 2011 to February 2020 were selected, who had complete medical records, TMJSC was verified histologically after operation. The expressions of COMP, TGF-β3, TGF-β1 and BMP-2 in the TMJSC of the temporomandibular joint were detected by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) at the protein level and mRNA level respectively, compared with the normal synovial tissue of temporomandibular joint. The histological morphology, protein expression and distribution of TMJSC tissues were observed microscopically, and the positive staining proteins were counted and scored. SPSS 22.0 statistical software was used to analyze the expression differences between the related proteins in TMJSC tissue and the normal synovial tissue of temporomandibular joint and to compare their differences. P < 0.05 indicated that the difference was statistically significant. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical results showed that the positive expression of COMP in TMJSC tissues was mostly found in synovial tissues and chondrocytes adjacent to synovial tissues, and the difference was statistically significant, compared with the normal temporomandibular joint synovial tissues. The positive expression of COMP was significantly different between recurrent TMJSC and non-recurrent ones. The positive expressions of TGF-β3, TGF-β1 and BMP-2 were higher than the normal synovial tissue, and were also mostly found in the synovial cells and adjacent chondrocytes, which was further confirmed by Western blot. According to the RT-PCR results, the expressions of COMP, TGF-β3, TGF-β1 and BMP-2 in TMJSC were higher than those in the normal synovial tissue. CONCLUSION The expression of COMP in TMJSC of temporomandibular joint increased significantly, compared with the normal synovial tissue. There may be interactions between COMP and cytokines related to the proliferation and differentiation, like TGF-β3, TGF-β1 and BMP-2, which may play a potential role in the pathogenesis of TMJSC.
Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein/genetics* ; Chondromatosis, Synovial ; Humans ; Synovial Membrane ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Transforming Growth Factor beta3

A 73-year-old woman presented with a recurrent cystic mass around her left olecranon. She had a history of 8 steroid injections due to elbow pain beginning 3 years ago and twice had undergone aspiration of olecranon bursitis that developed two months prior to presentation. She had been taking medications for hypertension and diabetes with no pertinent past history. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), there were multiple nodules in the olecranon bursa, which were isointense to muscle on T1-weighted images and hyperintense to muscle on T2-weighted images. Our initial diagnosis was synovial chondromatosis. On bursoscopy, masses of gray-white colored nodules were observed in the bursa. Finally, synovial chondromatosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection were concurrently diagnosed. In conclusion, uncalcified synovial chondromatosis and rice bodies can have similar visual and MRI characteristics; therefore, we suggest that clinicians should be aware of the possibility of other infections in cases of this type.
Aged ; Bursitis ; Chondromatosis, Synovial ; Diagnosis ; Elbow ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mycobacterium ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Olecranon Process ; Synovitis ; Tuberculosis

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare metaplastic disease affecting the joints, including the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Since its symptoms are similar to those of temporomandibular disorders, a careful differential diagnosis is essential. A 50-year-old male patient was referred with the chief complaint of pain and radiopaque masses around the left TMJ on panoramic radiography. Clinically, pre-auricular swelling and resting pain was found, without limitation of mouth opening. On cone-beam computed tomographic images, multiple calcified nodules adjacent to the TMJ and bone proliferation with sclerosis at the articular fossa and eminence were found. T2-weighted magnetic resonance images showed multiple signal-void nodules with high signal effusion in the superior joint space and thickened cortical bone at the articular fossa and eminence. The calcified nodules were removed by surgical excision, but the hypertrophic articular fossa and eminence remained. A histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was followed up few months later without recurrence.
Chondromatosis, Synovial ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Joints ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Recurrence ; Sclerosis ; Temporal Bone ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; Temporomandibular Joint

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of hip arthroscopy including extensive capsulectomy for synovial chondromatosis of the hip. METHODS: From 2008 to 2016, 13 patients with synovial chondromatosis of the hip were treated with arthroscopic removal of loose bodies and synovectomy using three arthroscopic portals. An extensive capsulectomy was performed to allow the remaining loose bodies to be out of the extracapsular space, and the excised capsule was not repaired. All patients were assessed by clinical scores and the radiographs were reviewed to determine whether the remaining loose bodies disappeared at the last follow-up. RESULTS: Eight men and two women were followed up for a minimum of 1 year (mean, 3.8 years; range, 1 to 6.8 years) after hip arthroscopy. Clinical outcomes such as modified Harris hip score, University of California Los Angeles score, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score improved at the last follow-up. Although seven hips had remaining loose bodies after arthroscopic surgery, the remaining loose bodies disappeared in five hips (71.4%) at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic surgery was useful to treat synovial chondromatosis of the hip. In spite of limited removal of loose bodies, arthroscopic procedures including extensive capsulectomy could be effective for the treatment of synovial chondromatosis of the hip.
Arthroscopy* ; California ; Chondromatosis, Synovial* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip* ; Humans ; Male ; Ontario ; Osteoarthritis

Synovial chondromatosis is an uncommon disorder characterized by cartilaginous proliferation within the synovial membrane of the articular joint. Smaller joints are rarely affected and it may be progressed to osteochondromatosis after ossification or calcification of metaplastic cartilage. It is commonly presented in the third to fourth decade of life, but rarely presented in adolescence. We report a unique case of synovial osteochondromatosis of the subtalar joint in 14-year-old baseball player. Arthroscopic removal of loose body and complete excision of the osteochondral mass with concomitant synovectomy resulted in satisfactory outcome without recurrence at final follow-up.
Adolescent* ; Arthroscopy ; Baseball* ; Cartilage ; Chondromatosis, Synovial* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joints ; Osteochondromatosis ; Recurrence ; Subtalar Joint* ; Synovial Membrane

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare benign lesion originating from the synovial membrane. It presents as adhesive or non-adhesive intra-articular cartilaginous loose bodies. Although the causes of synovial chondromatosis have not been fully elucidated, inflammation, external injury, or excessive use of joints have been suggested as possible causes. Synovial chondromatosis has been reported to occur most frequently at large joints that bear weights, with a rare occurrence at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). When synovial chondromatosis develops at TMJ, clinical symptoms, including pain, joint sounds, and mouth opening may common. Moreover, synovial chondromatosis rarely spreads to the mandibular condyle, glenoid cavity, or articular eminence of TMJ. The goal of this study was to discuss the methods of surgery and other possible considerations by reviewing cases of patients who underwent surgery for synovial chondromatosis that extended to the temporal bone.
Adhesives ; Arthralgia ; Chondromatosis, Synovial* ; Glenoid Cavity ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Mandibular Condyle ; Mouth ; Synovial Membrane ; Temporal Bone* ; Temporomandibular Joint* ; Weights and Measures

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare benign lesion originating from the synovial membrane. It presents as adhesive or non-adhesive intra-articular cartilaginous loose bodies. Although the causes of synovial chondromatosis have not been fully elucidated, inflammation, external injury, or excessive use of joints have been suggested as possible causes. Synovial chondromatosis has been reported to occur most frequently at large joints that bear weights, with a rare occurrence at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). When synovial chondromatosis develops at TMJ, clinical symptoms, including pain, joint sounds, and mouth opening may common. Moreover, synovial chondromatosis rarely spreads to the mandibular condyle, glenoid cavity, or articular eminence of TMJ. The goal of this study was to discuss the methods of surgery and other possible considerations by reviewing cases of patients who underwent surgery for synovial chondromatosis that extended to the temporal bone.
Adhesives ; Arthralgia ; Chondromatosis, Synovial* ; Glenoid Cavity ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Mandibular Condyle ; Mouth ; Synovial Membrane ; Temporal Bone* ; Temporomandibular Joint* ; Weights and Measures