Osteochondroma in Hoffa's fat, unusual presentation

Abstract

Introduction: Cartilage-forming tumors are the most common primary bone tumors. They are characterized by unusual behavior due to their uncertain evolution and are difficult to diagnose. Osteochondroma is a hereditary osteocartilaginous exostosis and is the most common type of benign bone tumor.

Objective: To describe the case of a patient with patellar osteochondroma located in Hoffa's fat pad.

Case presentation: We present a 56-year-old female patient who began to present with increased volume in the right infrapatellar region at the level of Hoffa's fat pad, secondary to a bone tumor of cartilaginous origin, diagnosed by radiographic and pathological studies at the Arnaldo Milián Castro Provincial Clinical and Surgical University Hospital in Santa Clara, Villa Clara Province.

Conclusions: In this case, the location of the osteochondroma is unusual (infrapatellar region on the right side at the level of Hoffa's fat pad). There was no personal or family history of the disease, nor any symptoms of pain, only local swelling. X-rays, CT, and MRI were particularly useful in diagnosing this condition. Surgical treatment was the ideal treatment, and the prognosis was favorable.

Keywords: osteochondroma; Hoffa's fat pad; osteocartilaginous exostosis; location.