What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also Known as/Synonyms)

• Angioma of Synovium
• SH (Synovial Hemangioma)
• Synovial Angioma

What is Synovial Hemangioma? (Definition/Background Information)

• A hemangioma is an extremely rare kind of benign tumor involving the blood vessels. Synovium refers to the lubricating fluid found in the joints (knee, elbow). A Synovial Hemangioma (SH) develops at any of these joint locations
• An individual (an adult or a child) may experience continuously recurring pain and inflammation at the joints along-with joint stiffness. Sometimes, the condition may affect the joint severely causing walking difficulties, affecting one's daily life and routine activities
• The prognosis of Synovial Hemangioma is generally good with proper surgical excision and removal of the tumor. Surgery may be difficult if the tumor has spread around the joint

Who gets Synovial Hemangioma? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Synovial Hemangiomas typically affect young children, teenagers, and adults
• A slight male predominance has been observed
• Less than 200 cases have been recorded globally
• Currently, there is no available information on any specific racial/ethnic preference

What are the Risk Factors for Synovial Hemangioma? (Predisposing Factors)

• The risk factors are unknown, but it is speculated that injury to the joints may be a cause for Synovial Hemangioma development

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one's chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Synovial Hemangioma? (Etiology)

• The exact cause and mechanism of Synovial Hemangioma formation is presently unknown
• It is thought that injury-related lesions at joints may develop into a tumor after many years
• It is also suggested that the origin of Synovial Hemangioma may be related to abnormal blood vessel proliferations due to unknown reasons

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Synovial Hemangioma?

Synovial Hemangioma signs and symptoms may include:

• The tumor may grow at a slow rate
• A joint inflammation due to the tumor mass may be observed
• Increased synovial fluid secretion also leads to a swollen joint. This may restrict the joint movement
• There may be recurrent pain at the location, but sometimes no pain may be felt
• Most common location of Synovial Hemangioma is the knee joint; other locations include the elbow and finger joints

How is Synovial Hemangioma Diagnosed?

A diagnosis of Synovial Hemangioma is made using the following tools:

• Physical exam with evaluation of medical history
• MRI scan of the affected joint
• Diagnostic studies using arthroscopy
• Histopathological studies conducted on a biopsy specimen - the specimen is examined under a microscope by a pathologist, to arrive at a definitive diagnosis
• A differential diagnosis is considered to eliminate other hemangioma types

What are the possible Complications of Synovial Hemangioma?

Complications due to Synovial Hemangioma could include:

• Severe joint pain: The mobility of the joints can be constrained, leading to difficulty in walking and performing normal daily activities. This can affect the quality of one’s life
• Damage of the knee, elbow, or other organs, vital nerves and blood vessels, during surgery
• Recurrence after surgery

How is Synovial Hemangioma Treated?

Treatment measures for Synovial Hemangioma include the following:

• Arthroscopic surgery to remove the lesion, when it is well-defined and localized
• Open surgery is performed when Synovial Hemangioma is diffusely spread (spread into the region)
• Post-operative care is important: A minimum activity level is to be ensured until the surgical wound heals
• Follow-up care with regular screening and check-ups are recommended

How can Synovial Hemangioma be Prevented?

Current medical research has not established a method of preventing Synovial Hemangioma formation. The benign tumor is managed through surgical intervention techniques.

What is the Prognosis of Synovial Hemangioma? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis of Synovial Hemangiomas is generally very good, when the lesions are small. In such cases, their recurrence risk can also be completely avoided
• Surgical excision of Synovial Hemangioma is difficult and complicated, if the tumor has spread around the joint

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Synovial Hemangioma:

Synovial Hemangiomas are pathologically classified as capillary, cavernous, or mixed type.