Lipoma Arborescens on MR Imaging and the Associated Lesions: A reviewarticle of 78 Cases

Authors

Cheng-Yuan Lin
Cheng-Ming Chiu
Tsung-Ching Lin
Shun-Lung Li
Chia-Yi Shang
Yu-Chiang Chen

Translated Title

樹狀關節脂肪瘤之磁振造影表現及相關病灶：七十八病例之回顧

Abstract

Objective: To identify the different morphologic patterns of lipoma arborescens (LA) and the associated lesions on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and to evaluate their clinical implication.Methods: We conducted a retrospective reviewarticle of the MR images and medical records of 78 patients diagnosed with LA of the knee (n=73) and shoulder (n=5). The diagnosis of LA was confirmed by the histologic findings in two cases and by the characteristic MR imaging features in the other 76.Results: A typical pattern of villous lipomatous proliferation of the synovium was identified on MR imaging in all cases, as a typical frond-like pattern in 38% (30/78) of cases, a dominant mass-like lesion in 41% (32/78) of cases and mixed type presentation in 21% (16/78) of cases. The associated MR lesions in the knee (n=73) were: joint effusion (97%), posterior cruciate ligament tear (69%), anterior cruciate ligament tear (43%), degenerative changes (40%), bone marrow edema (34%), meniscal tear (32%), synovial cysts (15%), medial collateral ligament tear (13%), osteochondral defect (12%), chondromatosis (6%), patellar subluxation (4%) and discoid meniscus (4%). All cases except two had associated pathologies of the knee. The associated MR pathologies in the shoulder (n=5) were: rotator cuff tear (100%), joint effusion (100%), degenerative changes (80%), subcromial enthesophyte (80%), biceps tendon tenosynovitis (40%) and probable adhesive capsulitis (40%). LA appeared to be an incidental diagnosis in all cases. The two cases of LA of the knee managed by synovectomy reported symptomatic recurrence.Conclusion: The pathognomonic appearance of LA on MR imaging provides for a precise and early detection of this uncommon lesion. Trauma, degenerative or inflammatory conditions may predispose a joint to this synovial disorder. Early intervention may be crucial for proper healing and avoidance of joint deterioration.

Language

English

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.6315/2013.41(2)02

First Page

93

Last Page

104

Recommended Citation

Lin, Cheng-Yuan; Chiu, Cheng-Ming; Lin, Tsung-Ching; Li, Shun-Lung; Shang, Chia-Yi; and Chen, Yu-Chiang (2013) "Lipoma Arborescens on MR Imaging and the Associated Lesions: A reviewarticle of 78 Cases," Rehabilitation Practice and Science: Vol. 41: Iss. 2, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6315/2013.41(2)02
Available at: https://rps.researchcommons.org/journal/vol41/iss2/2