Diagnostic imaging of pigmented villonodular synovitis of the temporomandibular joint associated with condylar expansion

Abstract

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare lesion of the temporomandibular joint. We report a case which was initially misdiagnosed as a parotid tumor. CT revealed a well-defined mass demonstrating higher attenuation than the adjacent soft tissue with marked expansion of the mandibular condyle. MRI clearly delineated the extent of the lesion which had very low signal intensity on both T1W and T2W sequences due to the effect of hemosiderin. The usefulness of these imaging procedures in diagnosis of PVNS is discussed.