An Unusual Presentation of Charcot Arthropathy Caused by Syringomyelia Mimicking a Soft Tissue Tumor

Charcot arthropathy is a chronic, degenerative condition and is associated with decreased sensorial innervation. Numerous causes of this arthropathy have been described. Here we report a case of neuropathic arthropathy secondary to syringomyelia which was misdiagnosed as a soft tissue tumor and treated surgically and additionally with radiotherapy at another institution. The patient had clinical and radiological signs of syringomyelia, associated with a limited range of motion, swelling, and pain in the affected joint. Neuropathic arthropathy, although less common, should be considered in cases of unexplained joint swelling, pain, and limited range of motion of the affected joint.

[1]  M. Crowther,et al.  Neuropathic shoulder in syringomyelia treated with resurfacing arthroplasty of humeral head and soft-tissue lining of glenoid: a case report. , 2007, Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery.

[2]  O. Ofluoğlu,et al.  Neuropathic arthropathy of the shoulder (Charcot shoulder). , 2005, MedGenMed : Medscape general medicine.

[3]  B. Yanık,et al.  Neuropathic arthropathy caused by Arnold–Chiari malformation with syringomyelia , 2004, Rheumatology International.

[4]  C. Deirmengian,et al.  Neuropathic Arthropathy of the Elbow: A Report of Five Cases , 2001, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[5]  R. Bell,et al.  Case report: rapidly progressive neuropathic arthropathy in syringohydromyelia--radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings. , 1994, Clinical radiology.

[6]  G. Hermann,et al.  Neuropathic arthropathy of the shoulder mimicking soft tissue sarcoma. , 1993, Orthopedics.

[7]  J. Houpt,et al.  Charcot's arthropathy of the shoulder following intraarticular corticosteroid injections. , 1993, The Journal of rheumatology.

[8]  A. Zhan,et al.  Neuroarthropathy. Clinico-radiologic analysis of 115 cases. , 1992, Chinese medical journal.

[9]  R. Allman,et al.  Neuropathic bone and joint disease. , 1988, Radiologic clinics of North America.

[10]  Brower Ac,et al.  Neuropathic bone and joint disease. , 1988 .

[11]  S. Gozzi,et al.  [Neuropathic arthropathy of the shoulder]. , 2007, Anales del sistema sanitario de Navarra.

[12]  C. Roberto,et al.  Syringomyelia, neuropathic arthropathy and rheumatoid arthritis as diagnostic dilemmas in two different cases: confounding factor and true coexistence , 2005, Clinical Rheumatology.

[13]  D. Xu [Neuroarthropathy (a clinico-radiologic analysis of 115 cases)]. , 1989, Zhonghua fang she xue za zhi Chinese journal of radiology.

[14]  J. T. Johnson Neuropathic fractures and joint injuries. Pathogenesis and rationale of prevention and treatment. , 1967, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.