Pigmented villonodular synovitis

Objective To evaluate clinical, radiological and histological characteristics as well as outcome of pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) in 14 patients. Methods This retrospective study examined data from 14 cases of pathologically-confirmed PVNS over a 10-year period (1990-1999). Results All 14 cases (9 women and 5 men) of PVNS involved the knee. Mean age at diagnosis was 32.7 years. The principal functional signs were mechanical pain and disability. All patients had radiographs (normal for 8 patients); 3 had arthrography, which found diffuse cyst formations, 2 had MRI, which showed images characteristic of PVNS, and 4 had arthroscopy. All patients underwent complete surgical excision, and 4 also had osmic acid synoviorthesis. Recurrence occurred in 4 patients, within 10 months on average. Conclusion MRI and arthroscopy improve the early management of pigmented villonodular synovitis.