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Giant Cell Tumor within the Proximal Tibia after ACL Reconstruction
Takashi Takahashi1, Lauren MacCormick2, Jutta Ellermann1
1Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota Medical Center, 420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 292, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Case Reports in Radiology
|March 17, 2016
Summary
Giant cell tumors of bone can mimic postoperative changes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Early imaging may not reveal epiphyseal involvement, necessitating careful follow-up for accurate diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Skeletal Radiology
- Bone Pathology
Background:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common orthopedic procedure.
- Postoperative changes around hardware can sometimes obscure or mimic other pathologies.
- Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a primary bone tumor typically occurring in the epiphysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight a challenging case of GCTB mimicking postoperative changes.
- To emphasize the importance of serial imaging in diagnosing GCTB.
- To illustrate the potential for GCTB to originate in the metaphysis and extend to the epiphysis.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 26-year-old female patient.
- Review of sequential imaging findings over one year.
- Histological confirmation of the bone lesion.
Main Results:
- An enlarging lytic bone lesion was observed around the tibial screw post-ACL reconstruction.
- The lesion progressed over one year, initially appearing localized to the postoperative bed.
- Histological analysis confirmed the lesion as a giant cell tumor of bone.
Conclusions:
- Giant cell tumors of bone can present insidiously around orthopedic hardware.
- Early radiographic findings may not involve the epiphysis, delaying diagnosis.
- Metaphyseal GCTB can extend into the epiphysis, and this should not rule out the diagnosis in early stages.
