A Rare Case Report of Fungal Synovitis Presenting as Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis

Abstract

Synovitis is a disorder that develops when the synovial tissue or joint lining becomes inflamed. The term pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) refers to a form of tenosynovial giant cell neoplasm affecting the tendon and joint soft-tissue lining. We describe the rare case of a 37-year-old male presenting with complaints of swelling in the left knee following trauma. Patients have a limited range of motion. There is a previous history of an accident 1 year back for which he was operated. Recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fracture. The clinical diagnosis and radiologic findings were in favor of PVNS. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of fungus. It was further confirmed by fungal culture, for which the patient was given antifungals and was further followed up in the orthopedics outpatient clinic. Thus, we diagnosed fungal synovitis in a patient who came with clinical presentation and MRI findings suggestive of PVNS.

Keywords

• fungal synovitis
• pigmented villonodular synovitis
• siderotic synovitis