J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2016 Apr;51(2):173-177. 10.4055/jkoa.2016.51.2.173.

Meniscal Ossicle

• Lee JH
• Wang SI
• Jung YR

• KMID: 2162053
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2016.51.2.173

Abstract

Meniscal ossicle of the knee, an ossified tissue formed within the meniscus, is rare in humans. We experienced a case of a 48-year-old male with no history of trauma, who presented with intermittent locking symptoms and knee pain upon standing. The patient was diagnosed with meniscal ossicle and cartilage lesion in the medial femoral condyle accompanied by a medial meniscus posterior horn radial tear and treated with arthroscopic resection and microfracture. Therefore, we report on this case with relevant literature.

Keyword

ossicle; meniscus; articular cartilage lesion

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cartilage
Horns
Humans
Knee
Male
Menisci, Tibial
Middle Aged
Tears

Figure

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  Figure 1 (A, B) On anteroposterior and lateral radiographs oft the right knee, a solitary and well-defined oval-shaped bony structure is observed in the posteromedial compartment of the knee. White arrows indicate the ossicle. (C, D) Magnetic resonance imaging showing the mass embedded in the meniscus with detachment of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. Coronal T2-weighted image (C) and sagittal T2-weighted image (D) at the ossicle level. White arrows indicate the ossicle.

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  Figure 2 (A, B) An arthroscopic view through the intercondylar notch from the anterolateral portal shows that the posterior horn was garlic-shaped, enlarged, and detached from its tibial insertion with a radial tear that was highly mobile with probing. (C) On an arthroscopic view through the anterolateral portal, a groove-line cartilage defect on the medial femoral condyle was noted.

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  Figure 3 (A) The resected mass measured 10×5×10 mm in size macroscopically and was surrounded by smooth, white cartilage. (B) Histologic examination showed mature cancellous bone surrounded by a thin layer of calcified cartilage contiguous to the fibrocartilage compatible with endochondral bone formation. No signs of mucoid degeneration, revascularization, fibroblastic proliferation, or metaplasia were observed (H&E, ×200).

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  Figure 4 On anteroposterior and lateral radiographs taken 12-month after the operation, an oval-shaped bony structure was observed in the posteromedial compartment of the knee before the operation was completely resected.

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