Bilateral Subacromial-Subdeltoid Rice Bodies in the Shoulder: A Surgical Case Report

Introduction. Rice bodies (RBs) are pale and glossy appearing small fibrinous nodules that form due to synovial or tenosynovial joint inflammation. RBs are significant as they are common in orthopedic practices causing nonspecific symptoms such as pain, swelling, range of motion limitations, crepitu...

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Main Authors: Caroline Rush, Olivia Jochl, Natalie Lowenstein, Jillian Mazzocca, Elizabeth Matzkin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Orthopedics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/8299485
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author Caroline Rush
Olivia Jochl
Natalie Lowenstein
Jillian Mazzocca
Elizabeth Matzkin
author_facet Caroline Rush
Olivia Jochl
Natalie Lowenstein
Jillian Mazzocca
Elizabeth Matzkin
author_sort Caroline Rush
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Rice bodies (RBs) are pale and glossy appearing small fibrinous nodules that form due to synovial or tenosynovial joint inflammation. RBs are significant as they are common in orthopedic practices causing nonspecific symptoms such as pain, swelling, range of motion limitations, crepitus, and catching sensations. These loose bodies occur often within the bursa as a symptom of chronic bursitis and are commonly associated with rheumatoid, inflammatory, or tuberculous arthritis. Reports on RBs are present; however, few bilateral cases within the shoulder appear in the literature. Case Presentation. This case demonstrates an unusual bilateral, subacromial-subdeltoid presentation of rice bodies (RBs) in a 41-year-old Caucasian female patient with a history of rheumatoid arthritis. We describe treatment with right shoulder arthroscopy to remove the loose bodies. One-year postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) show improvement in symptoms, pain, and overall function. Conclusion. Formation of RBs occurs as a symptom of an inflammatory response in synovial joints. This provokes multiple small fibrin aggregates to collect within synovial bursae and occasionally tendon sheaths. RBs are rarely seen bilaterally. Arthroscopic removal of RBs is an appropriate treatment method for symptom improvement.
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spelling doaj-art-1249df9527e341e2a010ffac4f28c9da2025-08-20T03:54:20ZengWileyCase Reports in Orthopedics2090-67572024-01-01202410.1155/2024/8299485Bilateral Subacromial-Subdeltoid Rice Bodies in the Shoulder: A Surgical Case ReportCaroline Rush0Olivia Jochl1Natalie Lowenstein2Jillian Mazzocca3Elizabeth Matzkin4Science DivisionResearch DivisionResearch DivisionResearch DivisionWomen’s Sports MedicineIntroduction. Rice bodies (RBs) are pale and glossy appearing small fibrinous nodules that form due to synovial or tenosynovial joint inflammation. RBs are significant as they are common in orthopedic practices causing nonspecific symptoms such as pain, swelling, range of motion limitations, crepitus, and catching sensations. These loose bodies occur often within the bursa as a symptom of chronic bursitis and are commonly associated with rheumatoid, inflammatory, or tuberculous arthritis. Reports on RBs are present; however, few bilateral cases within the shoulder appear in the literature. Case Presentation. This case demonstrates an unusual bilateral, subacromial-subdeltoid presentation of rice bodies (RBs) in a 41-year-old Caucasian female patient with a history of rheumatoid arthritis. We describe treatment with right shoulder arthroscopy to remove the loose bodies. One-year postoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) show improvement in symptoms, pain, and overall function. Conclusion. Formation of RBs occurs as a symptom of an inflammatory response in synovial joints. This provokes multiple small fibrin aggregates to collect within synovial bursae and occasionally tendon sheaths. RBs are rarely seen bilaterally. Arthroscopic removal of RBs is an appropriate treatment method for symptom improvement.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/8299485
spellingShingle Caroline Rush
Olivia Jochl
Natalie Lowenstein
Jillian Mazzocca
Elizabeth Matzkin
Bilateral Subacromial-Subdeltoid Rice Bodies in the Shoulder: A Surgical Case Report
Case Reports in Orthopedics
title Bilateral Subacromial-Subdeltoid Rice Bodies in the Shoulder: A Surgical Case Report
title_full Bilateral Subacromial-Subdeltoid Rice Bodies in the Shoulder: A Surgical Case Report
title_fullStr Bilateral Subacromial-Subdeltoid Rice Bodies in the Shoulder: A Surgical Case Report
title_full_unstemmed Bilateral Subacromial-Subdeltoid Rice Bodies in the Shoulder: A Surgical Case Report
title_short Bilateral Subacromial-Subdeltoid Rice Bodies in the Shoulder: A Surgical Case Report
title_sort bilateral subacromial subdeltoid rice bodies in the shoulder a surgical case report
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/8299485
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