Short-term functional and oncological outcomes of intralesional curettage supplemented by bone cementation for...

Chondroblastoma is a rare, benign neoplasm accounting for less than 1% of all primary bone tumors. It is treated with complete surgical curettage with or without chemical or physical adjuvants. The present study aims to assess the functional and oncological outcomes of patients with chondroblastoma treated with intralesional curettage supplemented by bone cementation of the resulting bone defect.

This study is an observational, descriptive, prospective hospital-based study conducted from April 2022 to August 2022 at the Ibrahim Malik Teaching Hospital and Future Hospital in Khartoum State, Sudan. It included patients with chondroblastoma who were treated with intralesional curettage and subsequent filling of the remaining bone cavity with bone cement. The researchers collected data from the patients' hospital records, as well as with the aid of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Scoring System, and analyzed them using SPSS V 28.

The study population comprised 32 patients with a mean age of 20 ± 6 years; the majority were males, 62.5% (n = 20), and students by occupation, 66% (n = 21). The proximal tibia was the most commonly involved site, corresponding to 59% of the cases (n = 19). Functional evaluation using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Scoring System revealed a statistically significant improvement from a preoperative score of 62 ± 10 to a postoperative score of 91 ± 3 (P value = 0.001). No recurrence or need for amputation was reported. Almost half of the study participants, 47% (n = 15) experienced moderate to severe pain. Postoperatively, 97% (n = 31) were satisfied with pain relief, and all patients were satisfied with the procedure. Functional outcomes improve with time after surgery.

The study showed a favorable outcome regarding pain relief and functional restoration in patients with chondroblastoma. The oncological results were also satisfactory; no recurrence, or need for amputation was recorded.