Pathogenesis of Synovial Lesions of the Skin

Synovial lesions of the skin are of interest because of their rarity and because of the existing controversy as to their origin. They are usually located on the fingers and toes, in the vicinity of a joint, and are characterized by cystlike tumors that produce a globular elevation of the skin and contain a clear, colorless, viscid fluid. Hyde,1in 1883, was the first to give a comprehensive description of these lesions. In 1888, in the second edition of his book,2he mentioned that Jones and Markins of St. Thomas Hospital, had presented several cases of this disease before the London Pathological Society. Hyde stated: "In every case the contents of the lesions are supplied by a synovial bursa beneath the skin, with which the lesion is either directly connected or in communication by a short sinus." In 1913 Lingenfelter3reported a case in which he was