Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Manifestations of Spinal Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis.

OBJECTIVE: To study computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of spinal pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS), with the aim of improving diagnostic accuracy.

METHODS: Findings from CT (n = 7) and MRI (n = 5) of 7 cases of spinal PVNS, diagnosed by pathological examination, were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS: One case presented with a small lesion, whereas the remaining 6 cases showed lobulated soft tissue masses centering on the facet joints, with lytic expansive destruction of the bone. The CT density of lesions in 3 cases was similar to that of the surrounding muscles, whereas the remaining 4 cases had lesions that were slightly hypodense relative to muscle. Among 5 cases for which MRI was available, 1 lesion was small with a hypointense edge, 1 manifested homogenous intensity without any obvious hypointense nodule, and multiple hypointensity nodules were visible in the remaining cases.

CONCLUSIONS: The CT and MR manifestations of spinal PVNS have certain characteristics and can provide the basis for the preoperative diagnosis.