Clin Orthop Surg.  2016 Sep;8(3):330-332. 10.4055/cios.2016.8.3.330.

Intra-Articular Pigmentation of Synovium: An Unusual Cause

• Verma S
• Hamilton S
• Liew SM

• KMID: 2374281
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/cios.2016.8.3.330

Abstract

An unusual grayish brown discoloration of the synovium was found during a knee arthroscopy of a 72-year-old man. He also had similar pigmentation affecting the skin on the legs, arms, hands, and face. It was found he had been taking 400 mg of amiodarone hydrochloride daily for last 7 years. Amiodarone is known to cause a slate grey pigmentation of skin and cornea, but we believe this is the first report of amiodarone-induced pigmentation of the synovium. The arthroscopist should be aware of the possibility of drug-related synovial pigmentation and include this in differential diagnosis.

Keyword

Knee; Arthroscopy; Synovium; Pigmentation; Articular

MeSH Terms

Aged
Amiodarone/*adverse effects/therapeutic use
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents/*adverse effects/therapeutic use
Arrhythmias, Cardiac/complications/drug therapy
Arthroscopy
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Knee Joint/surgery
Male
Pigmentation Disorders/*chemically induced/*diagnosis
Skin/pathology
Synovial Membrane/*pathology
Amiodarone
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents