Synovial chondromatosis of the acromioclavicular joint
Ikuo Kudawara1, Masanari Aono, Kenji Ohzono
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka National Hospital, 2-1-14 Hoenzaka, Chuo-ku, 540-0006 Osaka, Japan. kudawara@onh.go.jp
Abstract:
A 53-year-old woman presented with swelling of 3 years' duration on the right anterior chest wall. A radiograph showed coarse calcifications around the subclavicular region and erosion of the ipsilateral acromioclavicular joint. Computed tomography also showed calcifications in soft tissue. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumor around the clavicle extending to the anterior aspect of chest wall, which had low signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging and high signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging. The histologic findings were of a hyaline cartilage-like mass consisting of mature chondrocytes and an extracellular matrix. The histologic diagnosis of synovial chondromatosis was made. The present case is unusual in respect of the location and size of the tumor.
Related Concept Videos
Joints
Structural joint classifications are based on the material that makes up the joint as well as whether or not the joint contains a space between the bones. Joints are structurally classified as fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial.
Fibrous Joints Are Immovable
The bones of a...
Structural Joints: Synovial Joints
Development of the Limb Synovial Joints
The mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes that form the hyaline cartilage, and later the cartilaginous model of the bone. This model further transforms into a bone. This process is known as endochondral ossification.
During development, the limbs...
Structural Joints: Fibrous Joints
Suture
All the bones of the skull, except for the mandible, are joined to each other by a fibrous joint called a suture. The fibrous connective tissue found at a suture strongly unites the adjacent skull bones and thus helps to protect the brain and form the face. In...
Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints
There are two types of cartilaginous joints:
Synchondrosis
A synchondrosis ("joined by cartilage") is a cartilaginous joint where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage. Synchondrosis may be temporary...
Introduction to Joints


