Juxta-Articular Synovial Hemangioma of the Ankle: A Rare Benign Tumor

TL;DR

A rare benign tumor called synovial hemangioma was successfully treated in a 14-year-old boy's ankle through surgery after initial embolization failed.

Contribution

This case report highlights the successful surgical treatment of a rare juxta-articular synovial hemangioma at the ankle.

Findings

MRI and biopsy confirmed a juxta-articular synovial hemangioma in the ankle.

Surgical excision led to full recovery and pain-free movement within six weeks.

Angiographic embolization was ineffective, necessitating surgical intervention.

Abstract

Synovial hemangioma is a rare benign tumor with abnormal proliferation of blood vessels and is more common at the knee than at the ankle. We present the case of a 14-year-old male with an eight-year history of a progressively enlarging, painful swelling in the right ankle. Radiological investigations, including MRI, suggested a juxta-articular synovial hemangioma, which was confirmed on histopathology following ultrasound-guided biopsy. Initial management involved angiographic embolization; however, due to persistent symptoms, surgical intervention was performed. The patient underwent an en-bloc extracapsular excision, leading to full recovery with restored joint function and pain-free weight-bearing within six weeks postoperatively.

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