Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the hip: review of radiographic features in 58 patients

Abstract

Clinical and radiographic findings were retrospectively reviewed in a multicentric survey of 58 patients with histologically proven pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) of the hip. The most common clinical features were mechanical pain (47 cases) and limitation of joint motion (47 cases). On plain films, a classic form with large and multiple lucencies was found in 36 cases, followed by an osteoarthritis-like form (9 cases), an arthritis-like form (8 cases), normal radiographic appearance (3 cases), osteonecrosis of the femoral head (one case) and joint destruction with acetabular protrusion (one case). Bilateral involvement of the hips was probable in two patients. In contrast to the knee, the hip showed a high prevalence of bony lesions and joint space narrowing. Although an uncommon disease, PVNS of the hip has to be considered when arthritis is associated with uncharacteristic clinical or radiographic findings.