Stones around bones! atypical giant synovial chondromatosis: a rare case report

We report a case of a 56-year-old man with painless synovial chondromatosis presenting as extremely large masses with smooth surfaces at the suprapatellar region on both side related to the right knee joint. The large masses at the suprapatellar region both in the medial and in the lateral aspect of the knee along with restriction of movements were the main complaints reported by the patient. Plain X-ray studies revealed punctate calcifications anteriorly and on both sides of the knee joint. Surgery was performed subsequently which showed multiple rocky hard giant chondroid masses around the knee without any nodularity. Synovial chondromatosis usually present with small nodular masses, but in our case the masses were very large and had smooth surfaces which were very unusual. After 6 months following the surgery, the patient had full range of motion and no complaints. We suggest that synovial chondromatosis may present as huge masses with smooth surfaces which can mimic as tumors. The Surgeon should be aware of this pattern of appearance of synovial chondromatosis.