The authors present a series of seven case reports of Localized Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis (LPVNS) treated by arthroscopy resection between June of 1994 and October of 2001. At the baseline evaluation, symptoms ranged from diffuse pain to localized swelling of the knee, with or without mechanical blockage of the joint. Magnetic Resonance helped in localizing the lesion and in the follow up evaluation. Diagnosis was confirmed through anatomicopathological examination. By the end point evaluation, none of the patients presented recurrence of the pre-operative symptoms referred before. Magnetic resonance imaging also showed absence of symptoms. Despite of the small number of patients, typical of this affection, the authors believe that arthroscopic excision of the LPVNS is an effective method, with low morbidity, providing remission of the symptoms and a low recurrence potential.
Knee; Pigmented villonodular synovitis; Arthroscopy
