This document discusses pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS), a benign proliferative disorder of the synovium that affects joints, bursae, and tendon sheaths. It causes inflammation and overgrowth of the joint lining. PVNS can be localized or diffuse. The diffuse form typically involves large joints like the knee, while the localized form occurs in small joints of hands and feet. Clinical presentation includes joint swelling and pain. Diagnosis involves aspiration, MRI, and histopathology. Treatment options are surgical synovectomy or radiation therapy, with the goal of resection. Prognosis is better for localized PVNS than diffuse PVNS due to lower recurrence risk with complete excision.

1. Pigmented villonodular synovitis
(PVNS)
DR.MOHAMMED SAMEER
Internee
Orthopaedics dept(unit-1)

2. • Is a benign proliferative disorder of
uncertain etiology that affects
synovial lined joints, bursae, and
tendon sheaths .
• characterized by inflammation and
overgrowth of the joint lining
Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS)

3. • It results in various degrees of villous
and/or nodular changes in the
affected structures.
• PVNS lesions are monoarticular or
solitary. Polyarticular disease is
uncommon but more likely in
children.

4. Types:
Monoarticular involvement (most common), occurs in two forms: localized and diff
Two variants as described by Granowitz –
Localized form (LPVNS): focal involvement of the synovium
– Nodular / Sessile or Pedunculated masses.
– Hands & feet
b. Diffuse form (DPVNS) (more common): affects virtually the entire synovium, eg.
– Intra-articular PVNS tends to be of the diffuse form.
– Tendon sheath PVNS (Giant cell tumour of tendon sheath[GCCTS]), the nodular fo

5. • The diffuse form typically involves the
large joints , while the localized form
typically occurs around the small joints
of the hands and feet

6. The localized form often appears around tendon sheaths

8. Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee. Sagittal T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging sc

9. Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee. Plain radiographic findings of the knee apparently are n

10. Etiology
• The etiology of PVNS remains uncertain.
• Neoplasia is the presently accepted
underlying etiology.
• Evidence supporting this theory is both
empirical and genetic. PVNS has
demonstrated the capability of autonomous
growth and rare malignant transformation.

11. Several genetic studies have demonstrated associate

12. Etiopathogenesis:
• Repetitive trauma (50%) causing recurrent local hemorrhage to affecte
• Proliferation of the synovium of joints, tendon sheaths or bursae.
• It is a reactive condition, and not a true neoplasm.
• PVNS classically presents as a monoarticular disease, mimicking arthrit
• Recurrent atraumatic haemarthrosis is a characteristic feature.

13. Gross description
============================================Focal or di

14. Histology
• PVNS lesions on histology demonstrate
synovial cell proliferation,
xanthomatous cell accumulation,
hemosiderin deposition, and the
presence of multinucleated giant cells

16. Epidemiology
• PVNS is an uncommon disease.
• The prevalence is approximately 9.2 cases of
extra-articular and 1.8 cases of intra-articular
disease per 1 million population.
• Localized lesions are more common than
diffuse involvement, comprising 77% of total
lesions in one review, with a 3.3:1 localized-to-
diffuse predominance ratio.

17. • Diffuse PVNS affects predominantly
large joints, with the knee being the
most common (66-80%).
• The hip, ankle, shoulder, and elbow
follow in descending frequency.

18. • Diffuse PVNS has nearly equal
incidence in male and female
patients, while the localized form
demonstrates a female-to-male
predominance ratio of 1.5-2:1.
• Diagnosis is more common between
ages 20 and 50 years, with a median
age of 30 years.

19. Clinical presentation
• In general, pigmented villonodular
synovitis often manifests initially as
sudden onset, unexplained joint swelling
and pain; the joint swelling is
disproportionate to the amount of pain
the patient feels at first. Decreased
motion and increased pain occur as the
disorder progresses as well as locking of
the joint.

20. Clinical presentation
• The localized form often manifests
initially as a painless, slow-growing
mass and progresses to the other
common symptoms of PVNS. The
swelling often feels warm to the
touch.

22. Investigation:
Aspiration of joint: characteristically reveals a blood tinged brownish-stained aspirate.
X-ray:
• Soft tissue swelling will be marked due to haemorrhage and lobulated synovial tissue.
• May reveal cysts or erosions in the joint mimicking gout.
• Bony erosions are usually from without, especially in the hip
• Periarticular erosions, with a thin rim of reactive bone
• Late feature of joint space narrowing indicates articular cartilage loss, is difficult to distinguish
MRI:
• Ideal investigation
• Nodular mass (periarticular or synovial) with bone erosion

23. Sonography:
• Loculated joint effusions, Complex heterogeneous echogenic masses and markedly
Arthroscopy:
• Direct visualisation of synovium
• Has both diagnostic and therapeutic value in resection of tumours
Histolopathology:
• LPVNS is pedunculated, lobular lesion localized to one area of the synovium.
• On microscopy, Histiocytes, lipid laden macrophages, hemosiderin containing cells a

24. Differential diagnosis
Hemophilic arthropathy, synovial hemangioma, synovial chondromatosis, go

25. Treatment and prognosis
• Although a benign condition, PVNS may
result in significant morbidity if left
untreated. Pain, loss of function, and
eventual joint destruction may result. The
primary treatment options include
surgical resection via synovectomy or
radiation therapy.

26. Treatment:
• Synovectomy:
o Total synovectomy (open or arthroscopic):
– Open (anterior approach midline incision or medial parapatellar arthrotomy
– Arthroscopic synovectomy, has gained popularity, has several advantages ov
• Radiotherapy (3500- 4000 cGy) (Radiation induced synovectomy/ intra-articu

30. Prognosis:
• LPVNS: excellent prognosis, low recurrence rate if managed surgically,
• DPVNS: surgical excision difficult, recurrence rate of up to 46%.

31. Thank you