Localized pigmented villonodular synovitis of posterior compartment of the knee

Abstract

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is an uncommon entity involving articular or extra-articular tissues and maybe localized or diffuse in extent. The knee is by far the commonest joint to get involved. Localized PVNS of the knee can occur in any location but its confinement to the posterior compartment is infrequent. We present our experience of managing localized posterior compartment PVNS of the knee. There were 10 patients (7 males and 3 females) with average age of 33 years. These patients had symptoms of pain, locking, or swelling for a mean of 13.9 years before diagnosis. All the patients underwent arthroscopic synovectomy without adjuvant therapy, and PVNS was proven on histopathology. At an average follow-up of 23 months, no patient had recurrence of symptoms. The average International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score at last follow-up was 85.21. Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation at final follow-up did not reveal any residual disease or recurrence in any patient.