Unveiling the unforeseen: Asymptomatic pigmented villonodular synovitis at popliteal fossa

Abstract

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) are rare, locally aggressive, typically benign neoplasms of joints, bursae, and tendon sheaths. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, recurrent atraumatic hemarthrosis and limitation in range of motion. Our case study presents an asymptomatic PVNS at the popliteal fossa which was purely an incidental finding in a 32-year-old male with a history of trauma while playing football whose MRI was suggestive of Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), Medial meniscus tear & a focal nodular hypertrophy at posterior aspect of knee. The patient had no significant past history of trauma, swelling, hemarthrosis or similar pain. ACL Reconstruction, Medial Meniscus balancing and marginal excision and biopsy sent for the same. Biopsy suggestive of PVNS (Localised). This case report emphasizes the importance of considering PNVS in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue swelling without pain, swelling or bleeding, and should be considered as a differential diagnosis of soft tissue swellings in the posterior aspect of the knee.