A Rare Intra-articular Pathology of Knee Lipoma Arborescens: A Report of Two Cases Managed by Arthroscopic Synovectomy

Abstract

Lipoma arborescens is a rare intra-articular condition of unknown exact aetiology. Lipoma arborescens is one of the differential diagnoses of diffuse chronic swelling of the knee and its magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance is diagnostic. We present two cases of patients with recurrent knee effusion. MRI showed a frond-like fatty synovial mass and joint effusion that suggested the likelihood of lipoma arborescens. Arthroscopic synovectomy was performed and pathology confirmed the diagnosis. There was no recurrence of symptoms after synovectomy.