E. De Visser et al., Diffuse and localized pigmented villonodular synovitis: evaluation of treatment of 38 patients, ARCH ORTHOP, 119(7-8), 1999, pp. 401-404
We performed a retrospective study of 38 patients with pigmented villonodul
ar synovitis (PVNS) to evaluate the treatment and functional results. The m
ean age of the patients was 32 (range 12-72) years at the time of treatment
. Three types of PVNS have been identified: localized nodules in 9 patients
, diffuse PVNS of the entire synovial membrane in 26, a combination of a di
ffuse involvement of the synovial membrane and an extra-articular presentat
ion in 1, and extra-articular lesions in 2, The location of the lesions was
knee (n = 31), hip (n = 3), ankle (II = 2), femoral triangle (n = 1), and
gluteal region (n = 1). The procedures performed were surgery alone, surger
y combined with radiosynovectomy and radiosynovectomy only. A follow-up was
done after a mean of 4 (range 1-19) years in 34 patients. A functional eva
luation according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society was performed in 31
patients. The mean functional evaluation score of 34 patients was 24 (range
15-30). Most of the ratings were excellent or good, in 6 cases fair, and i
n 2 cases poor. This study demonstrates that the functional results are goo
d despite residual or recurrent disease; in addition, we showed that functi
onal evaluation after treatment gives an optimal view of the impact and res
ults of the operation.