Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with rare pigmented villonodular synovitis causing hindlimb
By Marti, J M·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·1997·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Bilateral pigmented villonodular synovitis in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old neutered crossbreed dog was brought in for worsening lameness in both back legs, along with swelling around the knee joints. X-rays showed abnormal tissue growth inside the joints, but no bone issues. The vet performed surgery to remove the thickened tissue and diagnosed the dog with a rare condition called villonodular synovitis. After surgery, the dog was given corticosteroids for six weeks, leading to steady improvement. Eighteen months later, the dog showed no signs of the condition returning, although there was still some mild stiffness.
People also search for: dog hind leg lameness · villonodular synovitis treatment · dog knee swelling · corticosteroids for dogs · dog joint surgery recovery
Abstract
Villonodular synovitis is an extremely rare condition of the synovial membrane in the dog. A 10-year-old, neutered crossbreed was presented with bilateral, progressive hindlimb lameness. Periarticular swelling was noted in both stifle joints. No craniocaudal instability was noted. Radiographs showed massive intra-articular soft tissue proliferation in both joints, with no bony involvement. Arthrocentesis was unsuccessful. Exploratory arthrotomy of the left stifle revealed a greatly thickened, florid, proliferative synovial membrane. An incisional biopsy was carried out and the histopathological diagnosis was chronic active villonodular synovitis. A radical synovectomy was carried out in the right stifle joint 10 days later. Corticosteroid treatment was initiated 10 days after the second surgery and continued for six weeks, with a continuous clinical improvement. Eighteen months after discontinuation of the steroid therapy, the owners reported no recurrence of clinical signs although a mild stiffness was still present.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9200116/