Exploring the Rare Occurrence of Giant Cell Tumour in Distal Tibia

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Oncology
• Musculoskeletal Tumors

Background:

• Giant cell tumours (GCT) of the distal tibia are rare, locally aggressive bone lesions.
• The distal tibia's complex anatomy presents unique management challenges and a higher risk of morbidity.
• Effective treatment strategies are crucial for functional recovery and pain relief.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the clinical course, surgical management, and outcomes of three patients with distal tibial GCT.
• To highlight specific reconstructive techniques for this challenging anatomical location.
• To evaluate the efficacy of treatment in achieving pain-free ambulation and preventing recurrence.

Main Methods:

• Case series of three patients with biopsy-proven distal tibial GCT (two primary, one recurrent).
• Surgical management involved wide-margin tumour resection.
• Reconstruction utilized contralateral fibular strut grafting and ankle arthrodesis with cement and bone graft.

Main Results:

• All patients successfully underwent tumour resection and reconstruction without major intra-operative complications.
• Radiological follow-up confirmed adequate graft union and no evidence of tumour recurrence.
• Patients achieved satisfactory functional outcomes and pain relief.

Conclusions:

• Surgical resection and reconstruction are effective treatments for distal tibial GCT.
• Techniques like fibular grafting and ankle arthrodesis can restore structural integrity and function.
• Long-term surveillance is essential to monitor for recurrence and potential complications.