An unusual cause of locking

Arthroscopic Excision of a Localized Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor of the Knee: A Case Report

BACKGROUND AND AIM

A tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) is a proliferative lesion of the synovial membrane of the joints, tendon sheaths and/or bursae. There are two described subtypes, including the localized and diffuse forms. A TGCT can also be intraarticular or extraarticular. An intraarticular localized tenosynovial giant cell tumor (L-TGCT) of the knee is characterized by nodular hyperplasic synovial tissue that can remain asymptomatic for a long time, but as the mass grows, it may cause mechanical symptoms that may require surgical treatment. The aim of our study is to present a rare case of an L-TGCT of the knee joint treated with an arthroscopic excision.

CASE REPORT

We describe the case of a 17-year-old female with pain, swelling and knee locking in the absence of trauma. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) displayed a well-circumscribed small mass in the anterior medial compartment, adherent to the infrapatellar fat pad. The lesion presented the typical MRI characteristics of an intraarticular localized TGCT. The patient was treated with an arthroscopic mass removal and partial synovectomy. The gross pathology showed an ovoid nodule that was covered by a fibrous capsule; a histopathology examination confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was able to return to normal daily activities one month after surgery; at the three-year follow-up, she was free of symptoms with no evidence of disease on the MRI.

CONCLUSION

In patients with a small-dimension L-TGCT in the anterior compartment of the knee that presents an MRI pattern and causes mechanical symptoms, an arthroscopic en-bloc excision can be performed that results in good outcomes and a rapid return to preinjury levels.