University of Massachusetts Medical School Faculty Publications
Title
Progressive bilateral lipoma arborescens of the knee complicated by juvenile spondyloarthropathy: a case report and review of the literature
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Pediatrics
Publication Date
2013-10-01
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Adolescent; Arthroscopy; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Knee Joint; Lipoma; Spondylarthropathies; Treatment Outcome
Disciplines
Musculoskeletal Diseases | Neoplasms | Pediatrics | Rheumatology
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To report an unusual case of lipoma aborescens (LA) presented in a patient with treatment-responsive juvenile spondyloarthropathy (JSPA) and to summarize the clinical manifestations, therapy and prognosis of LA by literature review.
METHODS: We report an atypical case of a 17-year-old patient with an initial presentation of juvenile spondyloarthropathy, whose inflammatory condition was improved successfully by traditional anti-rheumatic drugs and an anti-TNF alpha agent but developed progressive swelling of bilateral knees. Lipoma arborescens were diagnosed in each knee by synovial biopsy obtained by arthroscopic surgery. Fifty-one cases of LA have been reported and are reviewed in detail.
RESULTS: Clinically, LA could present as monoarthritis or oligoarthritis. The lateral compartment of the knee is the most common site of involvement. Several cases were reported as a comorbidity of inflammatory diseases, but were not improved by anti-inflammatory therapy. Most patients were diagnosed by classic MRI and biopsy findings. The lesions can be managed by open or arthroscopic surgery, but a minority of the cases may have reoccurrence in the same or opposite joint.
CONCLUSIONS: LA is a very rare lesion of the synovial and bursal tissue with an unknown etiology. It is considered to be a benign proliferation of the synovial fat associated with trauma, degenerative or inflammatory conditions. LA should be considered as a secondary or comorbid condition in inflammatory arthropathies if other joints respond well to intensive therapy and one or more do not.
DOI of Published Version
10.1016/j.semarthrit.2012.12.022
Source
Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2013 Oct;43(2):259-63. doi: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2012.12.022. Epub 2013 Jan 24. Link to article on publisher's site
Related Resources
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism
PubMed ID
23352250
Repository Citation
Xue J, Alario AJ, Nelson SD, Wu H. (2013). Progressive bilateral lipoma arborescens of the knee complicated by juvenile spondyloarthropathy: a case report and review of the literature. University of Massachusetts Medical School Faculty Publications. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semarthrit.2012.12.022. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/faculty_pubs/787