Benign Synovial Tumors and Proliferative Processes

Abstract

This article discusses several benign tumors and proliferative processes of the synovium including giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath, pigmented villonodular synovitis, synovial chondromatosis, lipoma arborescens, and synovial hemangioma, lipoma, and fibroma. We review the clinical features and imaging characteristics of each entity, with a special focus on the unique imaging findings that can enable a confident diagnosis or a limited differential diagnosis.

Angiofibrolipoma of the tendon sheath

“…Local symptoms, which appear as the mass grows, are one of the most important characteristics of tendon sheath tumors. Although common in other parts of the body, lipomas are rarely seen in tendon sheaths [1] . When they occur, they cause local, nonspecific symptoms (trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendon rupture) [1] .…”

“…Although common in other parts of the body, lipomas are rarely seen in tendon sheaths [1] . When they occur, they cause local, nonspecific symptoms (trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendon rupture) [1] . They may also cause neurovascular compression symptoms like the other tumors [11] .…”

“…A variety of benign tumors arise from the synovial membrane of the tendon. Lipomas are one of the uncommon benign tumors that arise from the synovial membrane of the tendon sheath, mostly occurring in the wrist and hand when they do [1] . The treatment of synovial lipoma consists of resection of the mass [1] .…”

Ultrasound-guided synovial biopsy

“…13,14 MR, however, cannot always reliably distinguish between infection and inflammation. 13,[15][16][17] Synovial biopsy is therefore generally undertaken to determine the cause of diffuse or localized synovial thickening of which there are three main causes. These are (i) synovial tumour, (ii) synovial infection and (iii) synovial inflammation.…”

Lipoma Arborescens: Review of an Uncommon Cause for Swelling of the Knee

“…Lipoma arborescens, also referred to as villous lipomatous proliferation of synovial membrane, diffuse lipoma of the joint, or diffuse synovial lipoma, is a rare benign intra-articular lesion characterized by villous proliferation of the synovial membrane [ 1 ]. The etiology of this condition still remains unclear.…”