Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the temporomandibular joint

Introduction: Pigmented villonodular synovitis is a benign lesion of obscure etiology involving the synovial membranes of joints, bursae, and the sheaths of tendons. Its occurrence in the temporomandibular joint is distinctly rare. Despite its benign nature, pigmented villonodular synovitis is locally destructive and can infiltrate the surrounding tissues. Description: We present a case of pigmented villonodular synovitis of the left temporomandibular joint involving the left infratemporal fossa and left mid-cranial base in a 60-yearold man. Results: Pre-operative computerized tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and fine-needle aspiration biopsy were used to determine the extent of the lesion and to establish the diagnosis pre-operatively. A complete excision of the lesion was performed using a pre-auricular infratemporal fossa approach with a subtemporal craniectomy. The patient is free of disease at 5-year follow-up. Conclusion: Complete surgical resection is the treatment of choice for this rare lesion.