Incidence and progression of osteoarthritis following curettage and cementation of giant cell tumor of bone around the knee: long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a benign locally aggressive tumor frequently treated with intralesional curettage and cementation. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term incidence of arthritic changes following curettage and cementation of GCTB around the knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of patients with GCTB around the knee treated with curettage and cementation with a minimum follow-up of 10 years. The functional results were assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score. The arthritic changes were classified using the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) classification system of osteoarthritis. RESULTS: This study included 119 patients, 54 males and 65 females, with a mean age of 29.4 ± 9.2 years. There were 35 (29.4%) patients with pathological fractures. There were 84 (70.6%) patients with de novo lesions and 35 (29.4%) with recurrent lesions. The mean follow-up period was 13.2 ± 3.16 years. The mean MSTS score was 28.5 ± 1.9. Overall, 25 (21%) patients developed variable degrees of arthritis of KL grade 1 (n = 7), KL grade 2 (n = 11), KL grade 3 (n = 4), and KL grade 4 (n = 3). Ten patients showed progression of arthritis during the follow-up period. Age at presentation, gender, presence of pathological fracture, whether the tumor was de novo or recurrent, and tumor location were not associated with arthritis incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Curettage and cementation can be used safely to treat GCTB around the knee. Arthritis of the knee is a possible complication, but mild grades are expected in most cases. There was no association between arthritis incidence and age, gender, pathological fractures, tumor location, or recurrent tumors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Outcomes of modular endoprosthesis reconstruction versus cement spacer reconstruction following resection of proximal humeral tumors.

BACKGROUND: There is no agreement about the best reconstructive option following resection of proximal humerus tumors. The purpose of this study was to compare the functional outcomes of endoprosthesis reconstruction versus nail cement spacer reconstruction after wide resection of proximal humeral tumors. METHODS: This retrospective comparative study included 58 patients with proximal humerus tumors who had undergone tumor resection and reconstruction with modular endoprosthesis (humeral hemiarthroplasties) or cement spacer. Medical records were reviewed for the epidemiological, clinical, radiological, and operative data. Lung metastasis, local recurrence, and complication were also reviewed. The functional outcome was evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scoring (MSTS) system. RESULTS: Nineteen patients with a mean age of 33.4 ± 17.5 years underwent reconstruction by modular endoprosthesis, and 39 patients with a mean age of 24.6 ± 14.3 years underwent reconstruction by cement spacer. The mean MSTS score was 24.8 ± 1.1 in the endoprosthesis group and 23.9 ± 1.4 in the spacer group, P = 0.018. Complications were reported in 5 (26.3%) patients in the endoprosthesis group and 11 (28.2%) patients in the spacer group, P = 0.879. There were no statistically significant differences in the functional outcomes in both patient groups with or without axillary or deltoid resection. CONCLUSIONS: Both endoprostheses and cement spacers are durable reconstructions with almost equal functional outcomes with no added advantage of the expensive endoprosthesis.

Long-term outcome of patients with primary or secondary tumors of the proximal femur treated by bipolar modular tumor prosthesis.

PURPOSE: The proximal femur is a common area for primary and also metastatic bone tumors. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term functional and oncological outcomes of patients with malignant primary or secondary tumors of the proximal femur, who underwent proximal femoral resection then reconstruction using bipolar modular tumor prosthesis. METHODS: Sixty patients with proximal femoral malignant tumors underwent resection and bipolar modular prosthesis between 2000 and 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. Based on diagnosis and presence or absence of pathological fracture, patients were divided into groups. The functional outcome of the patients was evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) functional scoring system for the lower extremities. RESULTS: The mean age was 38 (9-80) years at the time of primary surgery. Pathological fracture was the presentation in 28 patients. The study included 44 patients with primary bone tumor and 16 patients with a secondary bone tumor. The mean MSTS functional score of the patients was 24.3 (range, 18-30) points with no significant difference in patients with primary or secondary tumors. The rate of complications in the present series was 45%. The most frequent complication was an infection in 10 patients (16.7%), followed by aseptic loosening in 7 patients (11.7%). Local recurrence of primary bone tumors occurred in three out of 44 patients (6.8%). CONCLUSION: Modular bipolar tumor prosthesis has a good long-term functional result in both primary and secondary tumors of the proximal femur, with no significant effect of age, presence or absence of pathological fracture or femoral resection length on the functional outcome. It was found that the only statistically significant variable regarding the risk of infection is previous surgeries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

A technical note on autologous iliac crest bone grafting for restoration of the distal tibial articular surface.

PURPOSE: This technical note describes a reconstructive technique of the distal tibial articular surface using autologous iliac crest bone graft. METHODS: Following curettage and high-speed burring of giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) of the distal tibial articular surface, the resulting cavity was filled, and the articular surface was reconstructed using autologous tricortical iliac crest bone graft. The graft was fixed to the tibia with a plate. RESULTS: The smooth congruent articulating surface of the distal tibia was restored. Full ankle range of motion was achieved. No recurrence was detected in the follow-up imaging. CONCLUSIONS: The currently reported technique using autologous tricortical iliac crest bone graft is a viable option for reconstructing the articular surface of the distal tibia.

Outcomes of management of primary benign aggressive or malignant bone tumors around the elbow by limb-salvage surgery.

PURPOSE: Bone tumors around the elbow are rare, with frequently delayed diagnosis. The current study aimed to assess the functional and oncological outcomes of limb salvage surgery for primary benign aggressive or malignant bone tumors around the elbow. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with primary aggressive benign and malignant bone tumors around the elbow treated with limb salvage surgery between 1995 and 2020 at a single musculoskeletal oncology center. The minimum follow-up period was 24 months. Functional results were assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scoring system at the last follow-up visit. Local recurrence, chest metastasis, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: This study included 30 patients, 19 males and 11 females, with a mean age of 25.4 ± 14.2 years. The tumor location was the distal humerus (n = 21), proximal radius (n = 5), and proximal ulna (n = 4). Reconstruction was done by elbow fusion using fibular graft (n = 10), mobile endoprosthesis (n = 9), excision arthroplasty (n = 7), and extracorporeal freezing and reimplantation (n = 4). The mean follow-up period was 36.2 ± 21.3 months. The median follow-up MSTS score was 27 [Interquartile range (IQR): 26-30]. Skeletally immature patients had a significantly higher MSTS score. The rate of postoperative complications was 26.7%. CONCLUSION: Limb salvage surgery with different reconstructive options for benign aggressive and malignant bone tumors around the elbow can achieve good functional and oncological outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Outcome of surgical interventions for solitary enchondromas of the hand : Controversial issues.

BACKGROUND: Enchondromas are the most common primary bone tumors of the hand and are benign cartilaginous tumors. This study evaluated the clinical and radiologic results of patients who underwent surgical interventions for isolated hand enchondromas with a minimum follow-up of 1 year and focused on controversial issues. METHODS: A retrospective study included 66 patients with solitary hand enchondromas with follow-up >12 months who underwent surgical interventions between January 2014 and July 2020. Patients with multiple enchondromas, low-grade chondrosarcoma, or who missed follow-up were excluded. All patients underwent thorough curettage with or without filling. Follow-up visits were done at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and annually. Demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, surgical details, final histologic examination, rehabilitation program, complications, and recurrences were recorded. The range of movement of the affected hand was compared to the contralateral one. Radiological evaluation of defect filling using the modified Neer classification was done. RESULTS: Of the patients 25 were male and 41 were female (38 right hand affection, 28 left hand affection), the mean age was 30.4 ± 11.9 years. Indications for surgery were local pain, swelling, and pathological fractures. The mean follow-up period was 28.8 ± 12.9 months (range 12-67 months). The mean MSTS score was 28.73 ± 1.6 (range 24-30). The middle finger was most frequently affected (18 cases, 27.3%) and the proximal phalanx was the most common location (37 cases, 56.1%). The mean length of lesions was 18.9 ± 6.67 mm and the mean width was 12.3 ± 4.1 mm. According to the modified Neer classification, 50 cases were classified as grade 1 (healed), 16 cases as grade 2 (healed with defects), and no case presented as persistent or recurrent lesions. CONCLUSION: Solitary hand enchondroma can be effectively treated with adequate curettage, with or without autologous bone grafting, with positive functional and radiological outcomes. When compared to grafting from the iliac crest, harvesting bone from the distal radius provides a shorter hospital stay and reduced complication rates.

The Clinical and Radiological Outcome of Stages 1 and 2 Enneking Benign Bone Lesions with Pathological Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Presentation of benign lesions with a pathological fracture may be confusing to general orthopedic surgeons regarding missing a fracture in a pathological bone, the need for special care for these lesions, and the potential for healing of these fractures. The objective of this work was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of the treatment of patients with stages 1 and 2 Enneking benign bone-tumors presented with pathological fractures. METHODS: This retrospective study included 66 patients who presented with a pathological fracture through stage 1 or 2 Enneking benign bone lesions and were received at the emergency unit of the orthopedic department between 2014 and 2018. Demographic data and patient's evaluation were collected. Lesion-size (length, width, and depth) was calculated from the X-ray. Surgical intervention was planned in 28 patients. The indication for surgery was either fracture fixation or curettage of the lesion with or without augmentation. There were no repeated surgeries or local recurrences. The filling of the cavity was classified according to modified Neer's classification. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients, 45 males, and 21 females were included. Forty-two affections were right while 24 were left. The mean age was 14.9 ± 8.6 (range, 3-40) years. The most common radiological diagnoses were simple bone-cysts 43.9% (n = 29), followed by non-ossifying fibroma 27.3% (n =18). The mean length of the lesions was 4.4 ± 2.6 (range, 1 - 12) cm, width was 1.6 ± 0.8 (range, 0.3- 4.5) cm, and depth was 1.8 ± 0.9 (range, 0.3 - 5) cm. The mean follow-up was 24.15 ± 18.7 months. Minor complications occurred in 7 patients (10.6%). Fifty-four out of 65 lesions (83%) showed either almost complete or partial filling of the lesions. There was no significant difference regarding the filling of the lesions according to the modified Neer's classification between those who were treated conservatively and those who underwent surgical intervention P-value = 0.783. CONCLUSION: Careful diagnosis of a pathological fracture through stages 1 and 2 Enneking benign bone tumors is essential before initiating treatment. These fractures have good potential for bone healing and a low incidence of complications even with conservative treatment. Special surgical care of the lesion is not mandatory in all situations and should be individualized. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective.

Risk factors and oncological outcomes of pulmonary metastasis in patients with giant cell tumor of bone.

BACKGROUND: Giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone has a rare potential for metastatic spread. This study aimed at evaluating the incidence of chest metastases in GCT and their oncological outcome and identifying possible risk factors. METHODS: Medical records of 466 (313 de novo and 153 recurrent) patients with primary GCT of bone were retrospectively reviewed. Fifteen (3.2%) patients developed chest metastasis. Time from diagnosis of the primary bone lesion to the diagnosis of metastasis, treatment modalities of metastasis, and the course of treatment were revised. The functional outcome was evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scoring system, and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: This study included 7 males and 8 females with a mean age of 27.3 ± 7.9 years. The most common site of the primary tumor was the distal femur. All fifteen patients were recurrent cases. The mean follow-up period was 67.7 ± 33.2 months. Chest metastasis was diagnosed after a mean time of 28.1 ± 28.9 months from the initial diagnosis of the bone lesion. One patient died of disease (DOD) 18 months after the surgical intervention. The incidence of chest metastasis in recurrent cases was 9.8%, while de novo cases did not develop chest metastasis, P < 0.001. Previous curettage was associated with a higher incidence of chest metastasis (14.6%) compared to previous resection (4.2%), P = 0.03. CONCLUSIONS: Chest metastasis following GCT of bone is rare. Risk factors include recurrent cases, especially following previous curettage. Patients have a good prognosis and a low mortality rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective.

Outcome of Surgical Resection of Primary Malignant and Aggressive Benign Metacarpal Bone Tumors.

Primary bone tumors of the hand are relatively rare. Different treatment options have been described in case reports. In this study, the authors present the diagnostic methods and treatment strategies that they used. The goal of this study is to present the oncologic and functional outcomes of surgical resection of primary malignant and aggressive benign metacarpal bone tumors. This retrospective study included 7 patients with primary malignant and aggressive benign bone tumors of the metacarpals who underwent surgical resection with or without metacarpal reconstruction between 2000 and 2017, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Clinical and radiologic evaluations were reviewed, and functional evaluation was performed with the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scoring system. Seven patients (6 female; 1 male), with a mean age of 30.9±11.3 years, were included in the study. Six tumors were de novo, whereas 1 was recurrent. After resection, 5 patients had metacarpal reconstruction. Nonvascularized fibula was used for 3 patients, extracorporeal freezing of the metacarpal using liquid nitrogen was used for 1 patient, and metacarpal shift was used for 1 patient. Mean follow-up was 52.6±26.7 months. At the final follow-up, mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 27.4±1.6, and no local recurrence was documented. One patient had chest metastasis after 8 years of follow-up. The results show that surgical resection of primary malignant and aggressive benign tumors of the metacarpal bones can achieve satisfactory functional and oncologic outcomes. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(5):e633-e638.].

Functional and oncological outcomes of limb-salvage surgery for foot and ankle tumors.

BACKGROUND: Limb-salvage surgery has become the backbone treatment for musculoskeletal tumors in the last decades. However, limb-salvage with safe margins for tumors of the foot and ankle is challenging, due to the complex anatomy of this region. This study aimed to evaluate functional and oncological outcomes, complications, and local recurrence of limb-salvage procedures for tumors of the foot and ankle. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of 18 patients with primary tumors of the foot and ankle who underwent limb-salvage surgery between 1996 and 2015, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Clinical presentations, radiological and histopathological investigations, surgical procedures, functional and oncological outcomes, complications and local recurrences were analyzed. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scoring system was utilized for evaluation of the functional outcome. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up period of 44.2 months, 7 males and 11 females with a mean age of 29.2 years were included. Nine patients were presented as recurrent cases. The most common location was forefoot in 7 patients. Synovial sarcoma was the histopathologic diagnosis in 7 patients. The final surgical margins were wide in 15 patients, wide-contaminated in one patient, and marginal in two patients. After resection, soft tissue reconstruction and wound coverage were done by soft tissue flaps in 4 patients. The mean MSTS score was 27.5. Four patients developed local recurrence, all of them were recurrent cases. CONCLUSION: Limb-salvage surgery for foot and ankle tumors is an effective treatment option with good functional outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Management of Fibrous Dysplasia of Proximal Femur by Internal Fixation Without Grafting: A Retrospective Study of 19 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: This paper assesses whether treating patients with fibrous dysplasia of proximal femur by internal fixation with correction of the deformity, if present, without grafting is enough or not. METHODS: This study is a retrospective study using patient's medical records, including analysis of 19 patients with fibrous dysplasia of proximal femur treated by internal fixation only and followed up between 2000 and 2017 for at least 2 years. Epidemiologic data, clinical manifestations, radiologic and histologic investigations, surgery, functional outcomes, and complications in these patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 12 male patients and 7 female patients, with a mean age of 20.74 years. Of these, two patients presented with pathologic fractures, two presented with shepherd's crook deformity, and the remaining presented with hip pain and limping. Implants used for internal fixation were intramedullary nail in four patients, dynamic hip screw in eight patients, cannulated screws in four patients, broad dynamic compression plate in two patients, and narrow dynamic compression plate in one patient. The mean follow-up period was 53.58 months. Four patients had postoperative complications. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was 27.63 points. DISCUSSION: The optimal management option for fibrous dysplasia of proximal femur is debatable. We suggest that internal fixation without grafting has a good local control and satisfactory functional long-term outcome.