Surgical treatment of chondroblastoma using extended intralesional curettage with phenol as a local adjuvant

The aim of this study is to report the clinical and radiological outcomes following surgical treatment of chondroblastoma by means of an extended intralesional curettage using high-speed burr, with phenol as a local adjuvant which is followed by the implantation of synthetic bone graft, aiming to lower the recurrence rate of this tumor.

This retrospective study included 20 patients with chondroblastoma lesions during the period between 2000 and 2015.

Fifteen males and five females were followed up for a mean of 63.35 (26-144) months with average age at the time of presentation was 20.8 (range: 12-32) years. Nineteen patients (95%) were complaining of pain at the time of presentation, and the lesion was discovered accidently in one patient. The mean operative time was 138.5 min (75-250). At the most recent follow-up, all patients had regained full physical function without pain at the operation site.

The aggressive treatment of chondroblastoma by an extended intralesional curettage using high-speed burr with phenol as a local adjuvant seems effective in lowering the incidence of local recurrence and secondary more aggressive surgeries. Implantation of the bone defects that result from curettage with the synthetic bone substitutes is a good alternative due to rapid restoration of the mechanical strength with good remodeling.