Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of localized pigmented villonodular synovitis of the ankle: a case report.

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVS) has been well described in the literature. MRI has been used predominantly with diffuse PVS lesions. We recently had a patient with an unusual case of localized PVS of the ankle with bone and cartilage destruction. Preoperative MRI was useful in the diagnosis of localized PVS and in the planning for surgery. MRI in a patient with this lesion had not been documented previously, but should be considered whenever PVS, either diffuse or localized PVS, is suspected.