Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the elbow

Abstract

We present a 16 year old student with right elbow pigmentary villonodular synovitis. Clinical diagnosis, radiological features, MRI findings, biopsy results, management and follow up are discussed. MRI is the diagnostic modality of choice and assists the surgeon for a proper incision. Correlation of all the clinical aspects and the histologic features is usually required for definitive diagnosis. A complete surgical synovectomy provides the best chance for cure, but the goal of eradication of this benign process must be balanced against the morbidity of more aggressive surgery. The patient made a full recovery at the end of 4 years and leads a normal life. Pigmented villonodular synovitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of elbow monoarticular joint swelling in young and middle-aged adults.

A Case of Rice Body Synovitis of the Knee Joint

“…Identification with additional synovitis diseases is necessary before diagnosis, including rheumatoid synovitis, gouty synovitis, infectious synovitis, pigmented villonodular synovitis, and synovial chondromatosis [10][11][12][13][14][15] . As the optimal detection of RBS, MRI findings are very typical.…”

Magnetic resonance imaging and thallium-201 scintigraphy for the diagnosis of localized pigmented villonodular synovitis arising from the elbow: A case report and review of the literature

“…MRI strongly supports the diagnosis of PVNS through the demonstration of areas of low- or iso-signal intensity on T1-and T2-weighted images, indicative of signal attenuation by the abnormal iron content in the hemosiderin within a thickened synovium (19,25). A number of studies have reported the MRI features of PVNS in the elbow joint (7,9,13,16,20). On T1-weighted images, the lesion demonstrates isointensity to muscle with small areas of low signal intensity, while T2-weighted images demonstrate mildly increased signal intensity in the lesion.…”