Objectives:

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is an uncommon synovial proliferative condition with inflammatory origin of unknown aetiology typically affecting adults in the third or fourth decade of life. The aim of this study was to retrospectively asses the usefulness of MRI for characterizing pigmented villonodular synovitis and to review the literature.

Materials and Methods:

The data of 14 consecutive patients ( 9 males, 5 females; mean age 38 years, range 22- 55 years ) who underwent MRI examination and subsequent biopsy with typical clinical and imaging findings suggesting PVNS were included this retrospective study between June 2007 and April 2010. Of 14 cases 8 had knee, 1 had hip and 5 had ankle involvement.

Results:

Findings on MRI are mainly referring to the haemosiderin deposition in the affected tissues due to its magnetic susceptibility properties. In addition to the deposits of haemosiderin, the signal characteristics also reflect the histological composition of the tissue, particularly lipids and inflammatory fibrosis. The MR imaging appearance of PVNS consists of multiple synovial lesions with low or intermediate signal intensity on T1- weighted and low signal intensity on T2- weighted and gradient-echo images.

Conclusion:

In addition to it’s highly suggestive role in the diagnosis of PVNS, the usefulness of MRI in determining the distribution and thickness of abnormal tissue is extremely important for making decision about the process and subsequent surgical planning.

Keywords: