A Case of Bursal Osteochondromatosis in the Subscapular Bursa

Abstract

Bursal osteochondromatosis (B. O. C) is a rare disorder of synovial tissue commonly seen around the knee joint, such as in poplitea bursa or suprapatellar bursa. It is considered that B. O. C. is a condition of metaplasia and focal formation of cartilage in the synovial membrane. A first case of B. O. C in the subscapular bursa is reported.
A 22-year-old female was pointed out the calcified bodies in her right shoulder region by accidental radiogram. On arthrogram, several round free bodies were recognized in the subscapular bursa, however, glenohumeral joint appeared nomal.
Through axillary approach, eleven osteochondral bodies encapsulated by the subscapular bursa were excised.
The synovial membrane of the bursa showed scarring stage without osteochondroma formation, and the osteochondral free bodies showed central ossification, corresponding to stage III of synovial osteochondromatosis reported by Milgram.