Arthroscopic management of intra-articular pigmented villonodular synovitis of temporomandibular joint

Abstract

This retrospective study reports on four patients with intra-articular pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) who were managed with arthroscopy between 2002 and 2009. There were three females and one male, with a mean age of 46 years at diagnosis. The common symptoms were trismus and pain. No pre-auricular swelling or mass was detected. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthrography showed an anteriorly displaced disc, disc perforation, osteophyte of the condyle, or increased joint effusion. No neoplasm was suspected radiologically. Under arthroscopy, a yellow nodule and loose bodies were found in one patient, and a yellow or brown hyperplasia of the synovial membrane was noted in the other three patients. Degeneration of the articular cartilage was detected in two patients. The arthroscopic procedures used for every patient were partial synovectomy and debridement of articular surfaces with electric shaving and coblation. Arthroscopic disc repositioning was performed for the two young patients. Postoperative histological examination verified the diagnosis of PVNS of the TMJ. The average follow-up period was 57.4 months, and no recurrence was found. Arthroscopy has proved to be a useful method for the management of intra-articular PVNS of the TMJ.