Abstract

Introduction

Lipoma arborescens, a benign neoplasm of the synovium which is very rare and characterized by lipomatous proliferation of the synovium with villous and polypoid appearance. 'Arborescens' is the word originated from the Latin word arbor (tree) and thus the tree like morphology of the tumor is described. Knee is the usual site of the tumor and the sub synovial layer is filled with fat cells. As lipoma arborescens is a very rare case which is found incidentally and thus this case is being presented.

Case Report

A 24 year-old male patient presented to orthopaedic OPD with complaint of left knee swelling and occasional pain since six months. He had no history of limping or locking knee, or giving way. There were no constitutional symptoms. On physical examination, soft boggy swelling with effusion in the supra patellar area was noted. There was no local rise of temperature or tenderness. Joint movements mainly flexion was restricted and painful. Laboratory test results which included complete blood cell count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor and uric acid were normal. Only minimal amount of joint fluid aspirated which was negative for gram stain, culture and crystals. Plain radiographs of the left knee joint were normal.