Display options
Cite
Gokhale N, Purohit S, Bhosale PB. Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis Presenting as a Popliteal Cyst. J Orthop Case Rep. 2015;5(3):63-5doi: 10.13107/jocr.2250-0685.311.
Gokhale, N., Purohit, S., & Bhosale, P. B. (2015). Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis Presenting as a Popliteal Cyst. Journal of orthopaedic case reports, 5(3), 63-5. https://doi.org/10.13107/jocr.2250-0685.311
Gokhale, Nikhil, et al. "Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis Presenting as a Popliteal Cyst." Journal of orthopaedic case reports vol. 5,3 (2015): 63-5. doi: https://doi.org/10.13107/jocr.2250-0685.311
Gokhale N, Purohit S, Bhosale PB. Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis Presenting as a Popliteal Cyst. J Orthop Case Rep. 2015 Jul-Sep;5(3):63-5. doi: 10.13107/jocr.2250-0685.311. PMID: 27299073; PMCID: PMC4719406.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

J Orthop Case Rep. 2015 Jul-Sep;5(3):63-5. doi: 10.13107/jocr.2250-0685.311.

Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis Presenting as a Popliteal Cyst.

Journal of orthopaedic case reports

Nikhil Gokhale, Shaligam Purohit, Pradeep B Bhosale

Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic, KEM hospital, Parel, Mumbai-12. India.

PMID: 27299073 PMCID: PMC4719406 DOI: 10.13107/jocr.2250-0685.311

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Pigmented villonodular synovitis is an uncommon disease characterized by hyperplastic synovium, large effusions and bone erosions. It commonly mimics other conditions. As a result, the diagnosis may remain elusive, as the classic signs of tenderness and effusion are not specific. Occasionally, PVNS presents as a popliteal cyst, which may divert attention from intra-articular pathology. In this article, we describe a case of pigmented villonodular synovitis that presented with a popliteal cyst as the chief problem.

CASE REPORT: A twelve year old boy presented to us with a history of a gradually enlarging mass in the left popliteal fossa since eighteen months. He complained of restriction of terminal knee flexion, but he had no pain. After clinical examination and imaging the mass was interpreted as being either a popliteal cyst or chronic hematoma without ruling out the possibility of soft tissue sarcoma. An open excisional biopsy of the lesion was performed which revealed a reddish-brown cystic-nodular mass communicating with the knee joint. The histology was consistent with that of pigmented villonodular synovitis. We performed an arthroscopic synovectomy 3 weeks later. Abnormal synovium found in all compartments of the knee was removed. Histology from the intra-articular lesion was also consistent with a diagnosis of pigmented villonodular synovitis.

CONCLUSION: A swelling in the popliteal region may be due to various etiologies. The cause should be thoroughly investigated. Along with clinical examination and imaging the tissue must be subjected to histopathological examination. Pigmented villonodular synovitis can rarely present as a popliteal cyst. In such a situation, treatment consists of dealing with intra-articular and extra-articular pathology.

Keywords: Arthroscopic; Pigmented villonodular synovitis; Popliteal cyst

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: Nil

References

  1. Medicine (Baltimore). 1980 May;59(3):223-38 - PubMed
  2. Arthroscopy. 1989;5(1):62-4 - PubMed
  3. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1994 Jan;(298):212-20 - PubMed
  4. Ann Rheum Dis. 1980 Aug;39(4):354-8 - PubMed
  5. Clin Rheumatol. 2004 Feb;23(1):31-4 - PubMed
  6. Skeletal Radiol. 1995 Jan;24(1):7-12 - PubMed
  7. Arthroscopy. 1999 May;15(4):368-72 - PubMed
  8. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 1995 Jun 15;32(3):777-86 - PubMed
  9. Radiographics. 2008 Sep-Oct;28(5):1493-518 - PubMed
  10. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1994 Apr;76(4):593-5 - PubMed
  11. Radiol Clin North Am. 1996 Mar;34(2):311-26, x-xi - PubMed
  12. Arthroscopy. 2004 Apr;20(4):432-4 - PubMed
  13. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1984 Oct;143(4):877-85 - PubMed
  14. Am Fam Physician. 1999 Oct 1;60(5):1404-10; discussion 1415 - PubMed
  15. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005 Mar;64(3):497-9 - PubMed

Publication Types