Extra-articular osteochondromatosis: A collection of four clinical cases of different localization

Synovial chondromatosis is known to be frequently intra-articular and more rarely extra-articular. We present four cases of extra-articular chondromatosis in four different localizations: in the retro-olecranon bursa, in the sheath of the flexor of hallucis longus muscle, in the extra-synovial space of the knee and within the muscle’s fibers of brachialis muscle. Plain radiography, ultrasonography, tomodensitometry and magnetic resonance imaging show imaging characteristics, which help in differential diagnosis. Surgical excision is the gold standard treatment to avoid recurrence or malignancy transformation and to achieve a normal articular mobility.

Recurrence of retroperitoneal fibrosis with pancreatic involvement — the importance of imaging methods

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is a rare disease associated with the development of chronic inflammation and fibrogenesis in the retroperitoneal space. The disease usually manifests with acute or acute over chronic renal failure and/or urosepsis. Pancreatic involvement in RPF is rare but has been described in the literature. The diagnosis of RPF is made mainly by imaging methods. Abdominal echography scan reveals the presence of an obstruction with or without inflammation; computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging show the type and the spreading of fibrosis. Here, we report a 50-year-old female patient diagnosed with RPF during operative intervention in 2003. Initial treatment with corticosteroids and tamoxifen lead to remission. In 2007, late recurrence was observed, with tumor-like lesions over the upper, posterior, and anterior surfaces of the pancreas, spreading to intraperitoneal structures and more pronounced on the left side. Abdominal echography on day 30 showed that corticosteroid treatment lead to a decrease in the tumor-like lesions.