Localized pigmented villonodular synovitis of the ankle: Expect the unexpected.
BACKGROUND
We present the technique, results and discuss arthroscopic treatment of the localized form of pigmented villonodular synovitis (LPVNS) of the ankle.


METHODS
Medical records of five patients diagnosed and treated for ankle LPVNS with a minimum five-year followup were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were treated arthroscopically, altered synovial tissue was resected and a sample of tissue was sent for pathohistological examination for the definitive diagnosis.


RESULTS
No recurrence was noted at a mean followup of 6.5 years, both clinically and by MRI at one year postoperatively. Patients were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score, and an improvement was noted from an average score of 65.6 prior to treatment to 94.6 at final followup.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the results of this case series, and the absence of complications, arthroscopy is a viable option for treating LPVNS of the ankle.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Šalata 6-7, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: ozren.kubat@gmail.com.
Ozren
O
Kubat
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Šalata 6-7, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Šalata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: artroboj@yahoo.com.
Ivan
I
Bojanić
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Šalata 6-7, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Šalata 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Electronic address: drsmoljanovic@yahoo.com.
Tomislav
T
Smoljanović
D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D000070779:Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Ankle; Arthroscopy; Orthopedics; Pigmented villonodular synovitis; Surgery