[Surgical treatment for pigmented villonodular synovitis].

Objective: Pigmented villonodular synovitis(PVS) is a synovial proliferative disorder that remains a diagnostic difficulty. In this retrospective study we evaluated the diagnostic procedures, clinical symptoms and surgical treatment of PVS.
Methods: Six surgically treated cases of PVS were evaluated: five of the lesions were located in the knee joint and one in the hip joint. Diagnosis of PVS was confirmed by histological examination. Operation showed characteristic findings of a joint effusion, and synovial proliferation.
Results: Five cases were treated with complete open total synovectomy, and one case received arthoplasty. The followed-up period averaged 3 years and six months (rangeing from 6 months to 6 years). Excellent and good function was seen in all and there was no recurrence.
Conclusion: PVS diagnosis is frequently delayed due to nonspecific symptoms. Proper treatment includes surgery: extension synovectomy for the diffuse form, and arthoplasty and total joint replacement for the severe bone involvement.