Abstract

OBJECTIVE

One bilateral totally 16 diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee cases was examined in terms of clinical presentations, histopathological findings and surgical outcome.

METHODS

16 patients with the diagnosis of DPVNS were retrospectively analyzed with a period of 4 years. The mean age was 30 years (16-44). 10 patients were male and 6 patients were female. Nine patients left and 7 patients right knees were affected. Pain, swelling and pressure symptoms caused by mass effect were the most common clinical findings.

RESULTS

The most common physical examination finding was suprapatellar swelling (40%). Effusion in the knee joint was detected in 95% of the patients. There was mean of 1.5 cm thigh atrophy in 11 patients. Flexion contracture about 10 degrees in the affected knee was noted in 12 patients. Three of 8 patients that knee aspiration was performed have characteristic sero-hemorrhagic fluid.

CONCLUSION

We think that physical examination and history is very important in diagnosis of patients with PVNS. Aspiration of the joint should be avoided. Open or arthroscopic syneviectomy is the primary treatment of PVNS.