Synovial haemangioma

Changed by Joshua Yap, 13 Oct 2022
Disclosures - updated 15 Jul 2022: Nothing to disclose

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Synovial haemangiomas are rare benign vascular malformations that occur in relation to the joint. They are sometimes considered a subtype of soft tissue haemangiomas.

Epidemiology

The lesions typically present in children and young adults.

Clinical presentation

Patients may have pain, swelling and/or limited joint mobility. Occasionally patients can have recurrent haemarthroses 8.

Pathology

The lesions can be cavernous, capillary or mixed. 

Location

Most lesions tend to occur around the knee 1.

Radiographic features

Plain radiograph

Plain film findings are generally non-specific and may be seen as a soft tissue mass adjacent to the knee. Accompanying phleboliths may be present. 

MRI

Typically seen as a lobulated intra-articular mass (although the lesions can be either lobulated or diffuse).

  • T1: usually of intermediate signal 4

  • T2 

    • markedly hyperintense background; likely from pooled blood within vascular spaces 4

    • low-signal-intensityhypointense linear structures within the lesion; likely from fibrous septa or vascular channels 4

    • fluid-fluid levels may be present 

  • T1 C+ (Gd)marked enhancement 5

Differential diagnosis

Imaging differential considerations include:

  • -<p><strong>Synovial haemangiomas</strong> are rare benign vascular malformations that occur in relation to the joint. They are sometimes considered a subtype of <a href="/articles/soft-tissue-venous-malformations">soft tissue haemangiomas</a>.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>The lesions typically present in children and young adults.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Patients may have pain, swelling and/or limited joint mobility. Occasionally patients can have recurrent haemarthroses <sup>8</sup>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The lesions can be cavernous, capillary or mixed. </p><h5>Location</h5><p>Most lesions tend to occur around the knee <sup>1</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>Plain film findings are generally non-specific and may be seen as a soft tissue mass adjacent to the knee. Accompanying phleboliths may be present. </p><h5>MRI</h5><p>Typically seen as a lobulated intra-articular mass (although the lesions can be either lobulated or diffuse).</p><ul>
  • +<p><strong>Synovial haemangiomas</strong> are rare benign vascular malformations that occur in relation to the joint. They are sometimes considered a subtype of <a href="/articles/soft-tissue-venous-malformations">soft tissue haemangiomas</a>.</p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>The lesions typically present in children and young adults.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Patients may have pain, swelling and/or limited joint mobility. Occasionally patients can have recurrent haemarthroses <sup>8</sup>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The lesions can be cavernous, capillary or mixed. </p><h5>Location</h5><p>Most lesions tend to occur around the knee <sup>1</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>Plain film findings are generally non-specific and may be seen as a soft tissue mass adjacent to the knee. Accompanying <a href="/articles/phlebolith-1" title="Phlebolith">phleboliths</a> may be present. </p><h5>MRI</h5><p>Typically seen as a lobulated intra-articular mass (although the lesions can be either lobulated or diffuse).</p><ul>
  • -<li><p>low-signal-intensity linear structures within lesion; likely from fibrous septa or vascular channels <sup>4</sup></p></li>
  • +<li><p>hypointense linear structures within the lesion; likely from fibrous septa or vascular channels <sup>4</sup></p></li>
  • -<li><p><strong>T1 C+: </strong>marked enhancement <sup>5</sup></p></li>
  • +<li><p><strong>T1 C+ (Gd): </strong>marked enhancement <sup>5</sup></p></li>
Images Changes:

Image 4 MRI (T1 C+ fat sat) ( update )

Caption was changed:
Case 3: MRI

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.