Anatomy & Physiology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

A Rare Case of Synovial Osteochondromatosis of the Bicipital Radial Bursa

Fukuoka N, Nakamura O, Kaji Y, Yamagami Y, Nishimura H, Yamaguchi K, Tobiume S and Yamamoto T

Introduction: Synovial osteochondromatosis of a bicipital radial bursa is a very rare condition. We report herein a case of synovial osteochondromatosis of a bicipital radial bursa.

Presentation of Case: A 52-year-old man presented with a 20-year history of a slowly enlarging mass on the left elbow. Radiographs revealed multiple oval calcified lesions in the anterior aspect of the elbow. A mass lesion was located in the bicipital radial bursa on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). Surgical resection was performed. Histological examination of the excised tissue showed that the resected nodules comprised numerous hyaline cartilage-like areas surrounded by synovial membrane, suggesting synovial osteochondromatosis of the bicipital radial bursa. At 4 years postoperatively, the clinical outcome is excellent with no recurrence.

Discussion: Synovial osteochondromatosis is usually an intra-articular condition. Extra-articular involvement may thus represent a diagnostic problem. MRI and CT are helpful in diagnosing and evaluating the nature, calcification, and location of the lesion. CT was particularly useful in evaluating the location of the lesion and the calcification using CT in this case. Bicipital radial bursitis is infrequent, with few reports describing this disease, and synovial osteochondromatosis of the bicipital radial bursa is an extremely rare condition.

Conclusion: A very rare case of synovial osteochondromatosis of the bicipital radial bursa was described. In the case of a gradually enlarging calcifying mass in the elbow, synovial osteochondromatosis of the bicipital radial bursa should be considered among the differential diagnoses.