Postoperative radiotherapy for diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis of the temporomandibular joint.

BACKGROUND: Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare/benign condition of the synovial joint lining. It most commonly presents in the knee but has also been reported to occur in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Although there are several series reporting the use of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for extremity PVNS, there is scant literature on the use of PORT for PVNS of the TMJ. METHODS: We conducted a literature review for case reports related to PVNS of the TMJ and discuss two additional cases treated with surgery and PORT. RESULTS: 71 cases were found in the literature. 89% were the diffuse subtype. 92% had primary surgery and 7% had PORT. 68% were locally controlled. Both patients treated at our institution are locally controlled. CONCLUSIONS: PVNS of the TMJ is a rare entity. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment but PORT may be useful for local control of extensive tumors or positive margins.