Giant Cell Tumor with Fracture of the Proximal Radius - Reconstructive Surgery with Radius Allograft

Giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone is a locally aggressive benign neoplasm that accounts for 4-10% of all primary bone tumors. It affects mostly young adults and occurs more frequently at the bones around the knee followed by the distal radius and the sacrum. Surgical treatment with curettage is the optimal treatment for local tumor control, but it can be associated to suboptimal functional outcome when located in periarticular regions.

We describe a 47-year-old Caucasian female who presented with pain in the proximal third of the left forearm without history of traumatism. The study performed revealed a pathological fracture of the proximal radius associated with lytic lesion. The patient underwent excision and curettage of the lesion with preservation of the periosteum, filling with the left proximal radius (corpse) allograft and osteosynthesis with plate and screws. The anatomopathological examination revealed characteristics compatible with GCT.

This case presents some unique features: The extremely rare location of the GCT at the proximal end of the radius, its initial presentation as a pathological fracture, and the type of treatment performed (reconstruction with the left proximal radius allograft-corpse), with good results.