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Haemophilic arthropathy - elbow

Case contributed by Ahmed Abdrabou
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Patient known to have hemophilia complains of slowing growing elbow swelling

Patient Data

Age: 16 years
Gender: Female

The elbow synovial joint is distended by complex fluid and blood elements with no fluid/fluid levels detected probably because the blood was clotted. There is also yellow to red marrow conversion of the humerus, radius and ulna. No bony erosions detected. 

Case Discussion

Hemophilia is a congenital lack of one or more clotting factors with the development of bleeding tendency. Bleeding occurs inside the synovial joints and lead to hyperemia and hemorrhatic effusion. This causes irritation of the synovial linining, hypertrophy and later on imprinting on the underlying articular surfaces and cause erosions.  

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