Pigmented villonodular synovitis of knee joint. Arthroscopy as aid in diagnosis and treatment

The diagnosis of localized nodules of pigmented villonodular synovitis can and should be made arthroscopically. Local excision of the lesion can be performed arthroscopically. If this is unsuccessful, arthrotomy must be carried out. There is a role for arthroscopic review in patients who develop further symptoms, as this would facilitate the early recognition of the infrequent local recurrence or the rare progression of the nodular form to the diffuse form, which was seen in the first case reported here.