Arthroscopic T-capsulotomy for excision of pigmented villonodular synovitis in the hip

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a benign synovial tumor of unknown etiology with a predilection for the large joints of the appendicular skeleton. The poor prognosis for patients with hip disease is partially imparted by current surgical techniques. Recent advances in hip arthroscopy technique and instrumentation may enable arthroscopic treatment for PVNS in the hip. The authors report the first case where hip arthroscopy was used to surgically excise a biopsy-confirmed local PVNS lesion in the hip. Using selected capsular releases and accessory portals, the authors achieved adequate visualization and instrument mobilization to successfully excise the entire PVNS tumor with no identifiable complications.