Pathology of intra-articular tumours and tumour-like lesions: pearls, pitfalls and rarities from a general surgical pathology practice

Abstract

Intra-articular tumours are uncommonly encountered in routine practice and may present diagnostic challenges to pathologists. Challenges unique to this site include distinction from more common reactive synovial conditions, which are far more common; histologic variability; superimposed reactive changes; and often, lack of provided clinicoradiological context. This article reviews the pathology of the synovial tumours and tumour-like lesions, including diagnostic pearls, pitfalls and rare entities.

Keywords: Hoffa’s disease; Intra-articular nodular fasciitis; Intra-articular peripheral nerve sheath tumour; Lipoma arborescens; Synovial chondromatosis; Synovial haemangioma; Tenosynovial giant cell tumour.