Giant-cell-bearing lesions of bone of the hands

Giant cell tumors, giant-cell reparative granulomas, and aneurysmal bone cysts may produce rarefying defects in the bones of the hand. The radiologic features of the three lesions overlap so much that the distinction must be made on the basis of pathologic study. Experience at the Mayo Clinic and reports in the literature suggest that, when small bones are involved, giant cell tumors are more likely to be multicentric and to recur; two thirds of the giant cell tumors of small bones, 39 per cent of the giant cell reparative granulomas, and 33 per cent of the aneurysmal bone cysts recurred. This difference in recurrence makes it seem important to distinguish these three benign lesions.