[Contribution to capsular hemangioma of the knee joint (author's transl)]

Hemangioma of the knee joint capsule is rare. Although there are exact descriptions of the lesion to be found in the world literature, it is relatively unfamiliar among surgeons. Some characteristic symptoms as painful swelling, hemarthrosis, disappearance of swelling upon limb elevation, muscular atrophy, limitation of the knee motion, occasionally increased leg length or locking in circumscribed tumors and x-ray findings as osteolytic changes, periostal new bone formation and bony atrophy lead to the diagnosis. Phleboliths are pathognomonic. Another very characteristic case is added to the about 160 cases described in the world literature. Arthrography is helpful only in rare instances. Arteriography is critizised differently, but more frequently it is thought to be of diagnostic value. Arthroscopy does not lead any further in diffuse hemangioma. The treatment of choice is radical excision of the tumor whenever possible. In order to avoid secondary arthrotic changes early surgical intervention is favourable.