Giant Cell Tumor with Secondary Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Patella: A Case Report

A 15-year-old girl presented with pain and swelling on the anterior aspect of the right knee for one year. The radiological evaluation with x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging suggested a benign aggressive lesion of the right patella with a cortical breach. Core needle biopsy of the lesion revealed it to be a giant cell tumor (GCT). She was treated with total patellectomy and end-to-end repair of quadriceps to the patellar tendon. The histopathological report of the whole specimen revealed it to be a GCT with secondary aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC). After 24 months, she was asymptomatic, and there was no evidence of local recurrence or distal metastasis. An extensive review of the literature revealed only four cases of combined GCT with secondary ABC in the patella. Though rare, GCT with secondary ABC of the patella should be kept as a differential diagnosis for anterior knee pain and swelling in young patients. The diagnosis is solely based on histopathological findings. It is imperative to obtain a precise tissue diagnosis in the preoperative period to plan appropriate treatment.