Recurrence of synovial chondromatosis of the Hoffa's body

Synovial chondromatosis of Hoffa's body is uncommon. Recurrences usually result from incomplete removal of the loose bodies or diseased synovium at the initial surgery. We report a patient with synovial chondromatosis localized into the Hoffa's body who presented with anterior knee pain and mechanical symptoms. At the first arthroscopy, all pathological tissue was removed. At 1-year follow-up, clinical and radiographic examinations were normal. Symptoms recurred at 3 years, when a bony mass in the Hoffa's body was evident on MRI. The mass was removed through a mini-arthrotomy. Histology excluded malignancy. At 10-year follow-up, the patient remained free of symptoms. Synovial chondromatosis can occur with unusual patterns of recurrence. The growth of a large size mass confined to fat pad without intra-articular involvement does not allow to exclude the diagnosis of recurrent synovial chondromatosis. © Springer-Verlag 2009.