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Synovial Chondrosarcoma Arising in Synovial Chondromatosis of the Temporomandibular Joint

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Abstract

Synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint is rare. Even less commonly documented is the progression of synovial chondromatosis to a synovial chondrosarcoma. The aim of this paper is to present only the third case of synovial chondrosarcoma of the temporomandibular joint. Distinction between these two entities by histology alone is extremely difficult and even though it is advised that the definitive diagnosis should be based on clinical, radiographic and histological evidence, this has proved not to be so simple. The patient, a 63 year old female presented with a swelling associated with her left temporomandibular joint. CT and MRI scans confirmed the presence of a periauricular chondroid mass. Fine needle aspiration biopsy revealed an atypical chondroid lesion that was supicious for a chondrosarcoma. The left temporomandibular joint and surrounding tissues were resected after further imaging and extensive clinical, radiological and cytologic consultations. A diagnosis of synovial chondrosarcoma arising in synovial chondromatosis was made.

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Acknowledgments

Associate Professor E. Salisbury and Dr N. Pathmanathan for their professional opinions on the FNA biopsy material. Dr Firoz Iqbal for his technical assistance with preparation of the specimen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Pathology West—ICPMR Westmead, University of Sydney, Locked Bag 9001, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia

    Hedley Coleman

  2. Austpath Laboratories, Sydney, Australia

    Edward Chandraratnam

  3. Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia

    Gary Morgan & Lavier Gomes

  4. University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    Gary Morgan & Lavier Gomes

  5. Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology, Sydney, Australia

    Fiona Bonar

Authors
  1. Hedley Coleman
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  2. Edward Chandraratnam
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  3. Gary Morgan
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  4. Lavier Gomes
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  5. Fiona Bonar
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Correspondence to Hedley Coleman.

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Coleman, H., Chandraratnam, E., Morgan, G. et al. Synovial Chondrosarcoma Arising in Synovial Chondromatosis of the Temporomandibular Joint. Head and Neck Pathol 7, 304–309 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-013-0439-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-013-0439-y

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