Secondary synovial chondromatosis or secondary osteochondromatosis is a disorder that denotes intra-articular loose bodies secondary to joint pathology such as trauma, osteoarthrosis, infections, or neuropathic osteoarthropathy.
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Pathology
The loose bodies are fragments of bone, cartilage, or a combination of both, that have broken off the joint. If these fragments receive nourishment from the joint synovium, they endure and enlarge rather than atrophy.
Radiographic features
The intra-articular bodies in secondary osteochondromatosis are usually larger, lesser in number, vary in size and shape, and frequently ossify, compared with those of primary chondromatosis.
A lamellated appearance has been ascribed to the nodules of secondary chondromatosis, resulting from their gradual evolution within the joint space. There is evident nearby joint pathology (including osteoarthritis).
Differential diagnosis
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primary synovial chondromatosis
younger age
more numerous, smaller, round intra-articular bodies of approximately the same size
not associated with degenerative change