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. 2012 Jun;15(2):127-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.jus.2012.03.001. Epub 2012 Mar 28.

Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome: A case report

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Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome: A case report

M Valentino et al. J Ultrasound. 2012 Jun.

Abstract

The Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome has a pathogenesis similar to that of the Osgood-Schlatter disorder and is the result of excessive force exerted by the patellar tendon on the lower pole of the patella. Clinically it is characterized by pain, which increases when the patellar is loaded during flexion, subpatellar swelling and functional limitation. The authors present a case of a 13-year-old boy who was a competitive youth team football player. He presented with anterior, spontaneous knee pain and swelling at the inferior pole of the patella. Ultrasonography (US) confirmed clinical diagnosis showing lesions typical of the Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome. The patient was told to refrain from sports activity; after five months recovery was complete and US follow-up revealed no anomaly. The authors consider the case worthy of reporting because it is paradigmatic and to emphasize the role of US in the evaluation of the Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome.

SommarioLa sindrome di Sinding-Larsen-Johansson ha patogenesi simile alla malattia di Osgood-Schlatter, legata all'azione traumatica esercitata dal tendine rotuleo sul polo inferiore della rotula. Clinicamente è caratterizzata da dolore, che aumenta nell'appoggio in flessione, edema sottorotuleo e limitazione funzionale. Il caso in esame si riferisce ad un ragazzo di 13 anni che praticava il calcio, a livello agonistico. Clinicamente presentava dolore al ginocchio, anteriore, spontaneo e tumefazione in corrispondenza del polo inferiore del rotula. L'ecografia evidenziava le lesioni tipiche della sindrome di Sinding-Larsen-Johansson e confermava la diagnosi clinica; veniva prescritta l'astensione dall'attività sportiva. A distanza di cinque mesi si aveva la completa guarigione, con controllo ecografico che confermava l'assenza di lesioni.Abbiamo ritenuto il caso meritevoli di segnalazione perché paradigmatico e per sottolineare il ruolo dell'ecografia nella valutazione della sindrome di Sinding-Larsen-Johansson.

Keywords: Knee; Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome; Ultrasound.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome. US image shows swelling of the cartilage, fragmentation of the lower pole of the patella, patellar tendon thickening at the proximal insertion (A) and presence of a serous bursa (B) distended with fluid (arrows) located between the patellar tendon and the lower pole of the patella.

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