Chondroblastoma of the femoral head: management and outcome

Use of a Cannulated, Percutaneous Expandable Reamer for Physeal Sparing Excision of a Femoral Head Chondroblastoma

The treatment of chondroblastoma in the epiphysis of the femoral head in skeletally immature individuals is challenging and often requires surgical hip dislocation. We present a unique method of percutaneous use of an expandable reamer (X-REAM, Wright Medical) to treat a chondroblastoma of the femoral head in a 9-year-old boy without requiring surgical hip dislocation. The described technique provides access to the tumor in the proximal femoral epiphysis and local tumor control. However, the approach involves placing a cannula through the epiphyseal plate, resulting in partial premature epiphyseal closure. At 5 years after surgery, the patient has an asymptomatic leg-length discrepancy and radiographic evidence of premature physeal closure, but no restrictions on activity or evidence of local recurrence. A percutaneous expandable reamer can be used to treat chondroblastoma of the femoral head while avoiding surgical hip dislocation.

Long term outcome of surgical treatment of chondroblastoma: analysis of local control and growth plate/articular cartilage related complications

BACKGROUND

Chondroblastoma (CBL) is a rare benign chondroid producing bone tumor that typically occurs in epiphysis or apophysis of growing children and young adults. Intralesional curettage is the treatment of choice, while resection is required in selected cases, even though the use of minimally invasive ablation techniques has been advocated. Authors reviewed a series of 75 CBLs with the aim of assess risk factors for local recurrence, the growth plate related complications after epiphyseal curettage and the risk of arthritis of the adjacent joint after epiphyseal curettage.

METHODS

We retrospectively review 69 CBLs treated with intralesional curettage and 6 treated with resection from March 1995 to February 2020. The median age was 18.8 years (7 to 42, median 16). The site was proximal humerus in 18 cases, proximal tibia in 17, distal femur in 16, talus in 6, femur's head in 4, calcaneus in 3, acromion in 3, trochanteric region in 2, distal tibia in 2, patella in 2, supracetabular region in 1 and distal humerus in 1 patient.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 124.2 months (24 to 322, median 116). Among patients treated with curettage, 7.3% of local recurrence was observed and 12 (17.4%) patients developed osteoarthritis of the adjacent joint. Five patients (7.3%) presented limb length discrepancy of the operated limb ranging from 0.5 to 2 cm. Recurrence free survival rate was 94.2% at 5 and 91.6% at 10 years. A mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) of 29.3 points (20 to 30, median 30) was observed.

CONCLUSION

More than 90% of CBLs were successfully treated with aggressive curettage but segmental resection is required in selected cases. In a relatively small proportion of cases long term complications can occur due to growth plate damage or osteoarthritis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Retrospectively registered.

Direct femoral head approach without surgical dislocation for femoral head chondroblastoma: a report of two cases

BACKGROUND

Chondroblastomas are rare, benign, locally aggressive lesions that appear in the epiphysis. Surgery for femoral head chondroblastoma (FHCB) is difficult. Conventional treatment with curettage via a drilled tunnel along the femoral neck can damage the growth plate and is associated with high local recurrence rates. The trapdoor procedure, which directly facilitates lesion access from the femoral head articular surface, can reduce local recurrence and avoid growth plate damage, although it requires surgical dislocation. Little is known about the long-term results of this direct articular surface approach, and there are no case reports on trapdoor procedures without dislocation.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report two cases (patients aged 12 and 15 years) of FHCB presented with coxalgia treated using the trapdoor procedure without surgical dislocation. Both surgeries were performed with patients in the semi-lateral position. The hip joint was exposed via an anterior approach, and a capsulotomy was performed at the superior rim of the acetabulum, followed by the external rotation of the hip joint. With a fine osteotome, a rectangular flap (trapdoor) was opened on the cartilage surface in the lateral non-weight-bearing area, and curettage of the lesion followed by bone and/or bone substitute grafting was performed. Subsequently, the trapdoor was replaced in its original position. There has been no local recurrence or femoral head aseptic necrosis after more than 6 and 12 years for patients 1 and 2, respectively. Both patients had musculoskeletal tumor society scores of 100% at follow-up and are enjoying a normal active life.

CONCLUSIONS

This direct femoral head approach without dislocation may be a simple treatment alternative for FHCB.

Surgical hip dislocation for treatment of femoral head chondroblastoma: efficacy and safety

PURPOSE

Femoral head chondroblastoma poses a surgical challenge. Anatomical limitations may lead to increased risk of local recurrence, damage to the articular cartilage, growth disturbances, and/or avascular necrosis (AVN). We are presenting our results with surgical hip dislocation approach with the aim to evaluate its efficacy in preventing recurrence and its safety, preserving a functional hip joint and avoiding complications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ten patients were managed using surgical hip dislocation with direct access to femoral head lesions, extended curettage through a modified trapdoor approach, and cement reconstruction. These were six males and four females, with a mean age of 17 ± 2.7 years (range: 14-20) and a mean follow-up of 34 ± 12 months (range: 17-57). The lesion extended into the neck in 60% of patients with the physis being either closed in seven or closing in three patients.

RESULTS

We had a single case (10%) of recurrence at the trochanters for which re-curettage was done. However, all patients had their hips preserved with good function at the latest follow-up, and no serious complications recorded. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score improved significantly from a pre-operative median of 23.5 (range: 16-28) to a post-operative median of 29 (range: 26-30) (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

This report describes a safe reproducible approach to effectively manage these locally aggressive lesions with good short-term results. This is done while maintaining the integrity of the articular surface, growth plate, as well as preserving the femoral head blood supply.

Chondroblastoma in the Children Treated with Intralesional Curettage and Bone Grafting: Outcomes and Risk Factors for Local Recurrence

OBJECTIVE

To review the outcomes of surgical management in the pediatric patients with extremity chondroblastoma. Especially the risk factors of recurrence and growth disorder. And discuss a potential method to decrease the rate of growth disorder by preventing the premature physeal closure.

METHODS

Fifteen girls and twenty-seven boys aged from two to 14 years (mean, 11 years) with histologically proven chondroblastoma, who presented from January 2011 to June 2018 at our Hospital, were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data, radiographic images, histological findings, treatment, functional outcomes, and local recurrence rate were analyzed. Surgical treatment included complete curettage of the tumor and the walls of the lesion followed by bone grafting, No adjuvant methods were used. Recurrence was defined as a return of symptoms and an expansion radiolucency at the operated site. It was confirmed by the histopathological analysis. When recurrence was diagnosed, the medical data were analyzed to detect the effect of different factors on local recurrence. Functional outcome was measured according to Sailhan's functional criteria, designed to provide a standardized method of assessing pediatric chondroblastoma patient postoperatively.

RESULTS

The proximal part of the femur was the most frequently involved site. All the patients had at least 24 months of follow-up; mean duration was 30 months (range, 24-60 months). The local recurrence rate was 9.5%. Three resolved after repeat surgeries without further recurrence, one had a second recurrence and received another more aggressive curettage. Local recurrence of chondroblastoma was associated with age (P < 0.05), while not associated with sex, tumor location, the radiological character of the lesion or the grafting method (P > 0.05). No pulmonary metastasis was noted at latest follow-up. Five patients suffered from premature closure of physis due to physis injury. Thirty-one patients (73.8%) had a good outcome, and all returned to normal unrestricted activities. Six patients (14.3%) had a fair outcome due to occasional pain, asymmetric range of motion, or radiographic joint changes without arthritis. And five patients (11.9%) had a poor outcome because of chronic pain, loss of joint motion impairing normal life activities, or a limb-length discrepancy and limp.

CONCLUSIONS

Aggressive curettage and bone grafting resulted in local control and good outcomes in most pediatric patients. Being less than 12 years of age was the risk factor for recurrence. For those growing patients, premature physeal closure was observed after the curettage, interpositional technique with PMMA would be a good choice for prevention.

Surgical treatment of benign osteolytic lesions in the femoral head and neck: a systematic review

Background and objectives

Treatment of benign osteolytic lesions in the femoral head and neck can be extremely challenging, particularly in children with open physis or for aggressive tumors with pathological fracture. There remains the difficult management decision as to whether to perform complete excision of the involved area or only curettage. Moreover, there is no agreed consensus on the optimal approach to lesion access when performing curettage, which included the transcervical, open and direct approach. The current systematic review aims to provide guidance for selection of surgical methods in clinical practice by comparing the advantages and drawbacks of different procedures.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were executed for human studies restricted to the English language. The search was filtered to include studies published from January 1980 to January 2020.

Results

A total of 33 articles including 274 patients were enrolled in the final analysis. The most common diagnosis was chondroblastoma (CBT) (104, 38.0%), followed by giant cell tumor (GCT) (56, 20.4%). There were 57 (20.8%) patients with pathological fracture. Intralesional curettage was performed in 257 (93.8%) patients with the local recurrence of 12.5% at the mean follow-up of 51.5 months. The patients who were presented with open physis or curetted via transcervical approach developed higher local recurrence in patients with CBT (P < 0.001). The local recurrence rate of GCT is 33.3% after curettage, while 8 of 9 (88.9%) patients with fracture were treated successfully with joint preservation. Two of 45 (4.4%) patients developed avascular necrosis (AVN) of femoral head after surgical hip dislocation. The reported Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) Score was comparable among patients with different approaches to curettage.

Conclusion

The majority of benign osteolytic lesions in the femoral head and neck can be treated with intralesional curettage with acceptable local tumor control and satisfactory function. The incidence of local recurrence might be decreased dramatically for lesion access under direct visualization. The native joint maintenance could be achieved even in patients with aggressive lesions presenting pathological fracture.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-021-04442-y.

Total Calcanectomy and Bilateral Iliac Bone Autograft Reconstruction for the Treatment of Calcaneal Chondroblastoma Involving a Secondary Aneurysmal Bone Cyst: A Case Report and Literature Review

Chondroblastoma is a rare, benign, cartilaginous-derived tumor accounting for ∼1% to 2% of all primary bone tumors and almost 9% of all benign bone tumors. In this case report, we describe a patient with chondroblastoma and a secondary aneurysmal bone cyst, with the adjacent talus being mildly affected. The initial diagnosis was giant cell tumor and was then confirmed after computed tomography-assisted biopsy. We performed a total calcanectomy via bilateral structural iliac bone autografting to relieve pain and reconstruct the loadbearing function because of the presence of extensive lesions. The patient was pain free and expressed satisfaction with postsurgical dorsiflexion and plantarflexion function at the 60-month follow-up visit. Radiographic images showed that the autografted iliac bone was completely healed, with no evidence of local recurrence.

Eight-Year Follow-Up Using a Fresh Osteochondral Allograft for a Femoral Head Chondroblastoma in a 17-Year-Old Patient

Chondroblastoma is a rare benign tumor that affects the epiphysis of long bones in adolescents. Chondroblastoma located in the femoral head is associated with a higher recurrence rate and carries the additional risks of head collapse and degenerative hip disease. Aggressive curettage followed by bone grafting is the current mainstay of treatment. To our knowledge, the long-term postoperative outcome of this technique remains unknown due to the short follow-up of previous case reports. We present the case of a 17-year-old male who underwent fresh osteochondral allograft following curettage of a femoral head chondroblastoma, using a Ganz surgical hip dislocation. He made an uneventful recovery without tumor recurrence. The patient was followed up to 8 years postoperatively. However, there were clinical and radiographic degenerative changes at 6 years of follow-up.

Review of 16 cases of aneurysmal bone cyst in the proximal femur treated by extended curettage and cryosurgery with reconstruction using autogenous nonvascularized fibula graft

BACKGROUND

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is an aggressive benign lesion that may sometimes be difficult to treat. Lesions that occur in the proximal femur require to be addressed aggressively because of the high rate of local recurrence and the risk of fracture. Few articles report the experience of management of ABC in the proximal femur. This location presents a surgical challenge due to its anatomical and biomechanical peculiarity.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 16 cases with ABC in the proximal femur that were treated in our institution between 2005 and 2014, utilizing extended curettage and liquid nitrogen as adjuvant therapy and reconstruction using nonvascularized autogenous fibular strut graft. The mean follow-up period was 50.5 months. Five cases presented as recurrent cases, while four cases presented with pathological fractures.

RESULTS

The functional score ranged from 70 to 90 on modified Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score with a mean score of 81.25, which is considered to be excellent function. Time for graft incorporation ranged from 10 to 12 weeks. One case got local recurrence, and one case got early surgical site infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Extended curettage and cryotherapy represent a recommended approach for management of ABC in the proximal femur with favorable results.

Long-term follow-up of custom cross-pin fixation of 56 tumour endoprosthesis stems: a single-institution experience

AIMS

Aseptic loosening is a major cause of failure in cemented endoprosthetic reconstructions. This paper presents the long-term outcomes of a custom-designed cross-pin fixation construct designed to minimize rotational stress and subsequent aseptic loosening in selected patients. The paper will also examine the long-term survivorship and modes of failure when using this technique.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A review of 658 consecutive, prospectively collected cemented endoprosthetic reconstructions for oncological diagnoses at a single centre between 1980 and 2017 was performed. A total of 51 patients were identified with 56 endoprosthetic implants with cross-pin fixation, 21 of which were implanted following primary resection of tumour. Locations included distal femoral (n = 36), proximal femoral (n = 7), intercalary (n = 6), proximal humeral (n = 3), proximal tibial (n = 3), and distal humeral (n = 1).

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 132 months (interquartile range (IQR) 44 to 189). In all, 20 stems required revision: eight for infection, five for structural failure, five for aseptic loosening, and two for tumour progression. Mechanical survivorship at five, ten, and 15 years was 84%, 78%, and 78%, respectively. Mechanical failure rate varied by location, with no mechanical failures of proximal femoral constructs and distal femoral survivorship of 82%, 77%, and 77% at five, ten, and 15 years. The survivorship of primary constructs at five years was 74%, with no failure after 40 months, while the survivorship for revision constructs was 89%, 80%, and 80% at five, ten, and 15 years.

CONCLUSION

The rate of mechanical survivorship in our series is similar to those reported for other methods of reconstruction for short diaphyseal segments, such as compressive osseointegration. The mechanical failure rate differed by location, while there was no substantial difference in long-term survival between primary and revision reconstructions. Overall, custom cross-pin fixation is a viable option for endoprosthetic reconstruction of short metaphyseal segments with an acceptable rate of mechanical failure. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:724-731.

Modified trapdoor procedures by surgical dislocation approach to treat chondroblastoma of the femoral head

AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the surgical dislocation approach and modified trapdoor procedure for the treatment of chondroblastoma of the femoral head.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 17 patients (ten boys, seven girls; mean age 16.4 years (11 to 26)) diagnosed with chondroblastoma of the femoral head who underwent surgical dislocation of the hip joint, modified trapdoor procedure, curettage, and bone grafting were enrolled in this study and were followed-up for a mean of 35.9 months (12 to 76). Healing and any local recurrence were assessed via clinical and radiological tests. Functional outcome was evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society scoring system (MSTS). Patterns of bone destruction were evaluated using the Lodwick classification. Secondary osteoarthritis was classified via radiological analysis following the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system. Steinberg classification was used to evaluate osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

RESULTS

The epiphyseal plate was open, closing, and closed in five, five, and seven patients, respectively. In total, eight, six, and three patients were classified as having Lodwick classification IA, IB, and IC, respectively. Allogeneic and autogenous bone grafting was used in 13 and four patients, respectively. All patients had good bone healing and no local recurrence was observed. One patient developed osteonecrosis of the femoral head (Steinberg IA) and one developed secondary osteoarthritis of the hip joint (Kellgren-Lawrence Grade II). The mean postoperative MSTS functional score was 27.7 (24 to 30).

CONCLUSION

Surgical dislocation and modified trapdoor procedures are safe and effective techniques for treating chondroblastoma in the femoral head. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:732-738.

Have the difficulties and complications of surgical treatment for chondroblastoma of the adjoining knee joint been overestimated?

Background and objective

Chondroblastoma is difficult to treat as the tumor is surrounded by both articular cartilage and the epiphyseal plate. The differences in joint shape further complicate the problem. This retrospective study evaluates the efficacy of intraregional aggressive curettage and allogeneic bone grafting for treating chondroblastoma of the adjoining knee joint.

Methods

From February 2010 to February 2017, 36 patients with chondroblastoma of the adjoining knee joint were identified. All patients were treated with intraregional aggressive curettage, phenolization, and allogeneic bone grafting. Follow-up for lesion healing, local recurrence, functional outcomes and secondary osteoarthritis were assessed both clinically and radiologically.

Results

Thirty-six patients (mean age 17 years) were enrolled with a mean follow-up of 51.8 months (18–98 months). The tumor locations were as follows: distal femur (14), proximal tibia (20), and patella (2). Only 1 patient relapsed, 10 months post-operation. All patients had good bone healing. No knee varus or valgus deformity developed. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional score was 28.6 ± 1.1 post-operation. At the last follow-up, secondary osteoarthritis was found in 1 patient, the patient was asymptomatic.

Conclusions

Intraregional aggressive curettage, phenolization, and allogeneic bone grafting are effective for treatment of chondroblastoma of the adjoining knee joint.

Functional and Oncological Outcome After Treatment of Chondroblastoma With Intralesional Curettage

BACKGROUND

Chondroblastoma is a rare cartilaginous benign bone tumor that commonly arises in long bones of young people. Surgical management is the primary treatment of choice for chondroblastoma and it entails adequate intralesional curettage alone or in combination with adjuvants. This study was performed to describe the epidemiological characteristics and clinical and radiologic results of intralesional curettage of chondroblastoma.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study which included an analysis of 91 patients with chondroblastoma who were treated with intralesional curettage and were followed up between 1994 and 2014 for at least 3 years. Epidemiological data, clinical symptoms, radiologic and histologic investigations, surgery, functional outcomes, complications, and local recurrence rate were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 60 males (65.9%) and 31 females (34.1%) with a mean age of 16.4 years. The most commonly involved bone was the proximal tibia in 24 patients (26.4%), followed by distal femur in 20 patients (22%), proximal humerus in 17 patients (18.7%) and proximal femur in 15 patients (16.6%). All patients underwent intralesional curettage. High-speed burr was used in 66 patients (72.5%). The resultant cavity was filled with autogenous bone graft, bone substitute, bone cement or a combination of bone graft and cement. Four patients (4.4%) had complications. Three patients (3.3%) developed local recurrence. Age, site, history of previous intervention or pathologic fracture had no impact on the rate of recurrence. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score was 28.88 (range, 24 to 30) points.

CONCLUSIONS

Thorough curettage using high-speed burr and bone-grafting or bone cement in the treatment of chondroblastoma has good local control, low recurrence rate and excellent functional long-term outcome.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective case series.

[Clinical observation of expanded curettage in treatment of chondroblastoma]

Objective

To explore the effectiveness of expanded curettage in the treatment of chondroblastoma.

Methods

The clinical data of 37 patients with chondroblastoma who were treated with expanded curettage between January 2011 and May 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 24 males and 13 females, with a median age of 17 years (range, 12-30 years). There were 32 primary patients and 5 recurrent patients. Local pain was the first symptom in all patients. The average disease duration was 4.9 months (range, 2-8 months). The lesions were located in the distal femur in 10 cases, the proximal femur in 7 cases, the proximal tibia in 9 cases, the proximal humerus in 5 cases, the patella in 2 cases, the talus in 1 case, the calcaneus in 1 case, and pelvis in 2 cases. According to the Enneking staging of benign bone tumors, all tumors were rated as the 3rd stage. The length of the lesion ranged from 1.2 to 6.9 cm (mean, 3.2 cm). The lesions involved the epiphyseal plate in 19 cases.

Results

All incisions healed by first intention, and no complications occurred. All patients were followed up 12-76 months, with an average of 40.5 months. At last follow-up, the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score was 27.5±1.4, and the difference was significant when compared with pre-operative value (18.5±1.9) ( t=23.462, P=0.000). The chondroblastoma recurred in 1 case (2.7%) after 5 months. X-ray film showed that bone resorption was found in 6 cases, but there was no obvious collapse in the articular surface of bone graft. The limb shortening deformity occurred in 3 cases who were epiphyseal plate involvement patients and lesions located around the knee joint. But there was no varus deformity, and knee joint activity was not affected.

Conclusion

Expanded curettage has advantages of low incidence of recurrence and skeletal deformity, good limb function, and it is one of the ideal options for chondroblastoma.

What Happens to the Articular Surface After Curettage for Epiphyseal Chondroblastoma? A Report on Functional Results, Arthritis, and Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Chondroblastoma is an uncommon, benign, but locally aggressive bone tumor that occurs in the apophyses or epiphyses of long bones, primarily in young patients. Although some are treated with large resections, aggressive curettage and bone grafting are more commonly performed to preserve the involved joint. Such intralesional resection may result in damage to the growth plate and articular cartilage, which can result in painful arthritis. Prior studies have focused primarily on oncologic outcomes rather than long-term joint status and functional outcomes.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

(1) What local complications can be expected after aggressive intralesional curettage of epiphyseal chondroblastoma? (2) What is the joint survival of a joint treated in this way for chondroblastoma? (3) What additional procedures are used in treating symptomatic joint osteoarthritis after treatment of the chondroblastoma? (4) What are the functional outcomes in this group of patients?

METHODS

A retrospective study of our prospectively collected database between 1975 and 2013 was done. We found 64 patients with a diagnosis of chondroblastoma of bone. After applying our selection criteria, 53 patients were involved in this study. We excluded seven patients with tumors initially treated with en bloc resection (five located in the extremities and two in the axial skeleton) and two patients with apophyseal tumors. One patient who underwent nonsurgical treatment and one patient lost to followup were also excluded. The mean age was 18 years (range, 11-39 years); the minimum followup was 2 years with a mean followup 77 months (range, 24-213 months). We analyzed all patients with a diagnosis of epiphyseal chondroblastoma of the limb treated with aggressive curettage and joint preservation surgery. During the period in question, our general indications for curettage were patients with active, painful tumors and those with more aggressive ones that remained intracompartmental, whereas initial wide en bloc resection was indicated in patients who had tumors with an extracompartmental extension breaching the adjacent joint cartilage and massive articular destruction. The tumor location was the distal femur in 14 patients, proximal tibia in 11, proximal humerus in 10, proximal femur in eight, the talus in seven, and elsewhere in the lower extremity in three. Local complications including joint degeneration and tumor recurrence were evaluated. Based on radiographic analysis, secondary osteoarthritis was classified by using the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system from Grade 0 to Grade IV. Patients who underwent joint replacement resulting from advanced symptomatic osteoarthritis were considered to have had joint failure for purposes of survivorship analysis, which was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Functional results were evaluated with the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional score by the treating surgeon, who transcribed the results on the digital records every 6 months of followup.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients (42%) developed 26 local complications. The most common local complication was osteoarthritis in 20 patients (77% [20 of 26 complications]); tumor recurrence was observed in four patients; an intraarticular fracture and superficial infection treated with surgical débridement and antibiotics developed in one patient each. Joint survival was 90% at 5 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 76%-100%) and 74% at 10 years (95% CI, 48%-100%). Proximal femoral tumor location was associated with lower survivorship of the joint than other locations showing a 5-year survival rate of 44% (95% CI, 0%-88%; p = 0.000). Of the 20 patients with osteoarthritis, four were symptomatic enough to undergo joint replacement, all of which were for tumors in the proximal femur. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional score was 28 of 30 points (93%).

CONCLUSIONS

Osteoarthritis was a frequent complication of aggressive curettage of epiphyseal chondroblastoma, and tumors located in the proximal femur appeared to be at particular risk of secondary osteoarthritis and prosthetic replacement. Because chondroblastoma is a tumor that disproportionately affects younger patients, the patient and surgeon should be aware that arthroplasty at a young age is a potential outcome for treatment of proximal femoral chondroblastomas.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Hip arthroscopy for intra-capsular benign tumors: a case series

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the assessment of intra-capsular femoral head and neck tumors, and to describe the arthroscopic surgical technique used to resect and fill the bone defects. Three cases of benign femoral head and neck lesions are presented. Two benign enchondromas and one benign osteochondroma were resected arthroscopically. Traction was used in one case. Modified Harris Hip Score improved in all three cases to scores of 95 or greater with an average improvement of 16 points with a minimum follow up of 15 months. Arthroscopic surgical resection of intra-capsular femoral hip lesions offers an effective alternative to open resection. This technique offered good outcomes in the limited cohort. We suggest that arthroscopic resection of intra-capsular femoral hip lesions be considered in relevant cases as an alternative to open resection.

Complete local tumor control after curettage of chondroblastoma-a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Chondroblastoma is an uncommon benign bone tumor with an incidence of 1 to 2% among all primary bone tumors. In the past, treatment for chondroblastoma has been highly variable leading to different rates of recurrences. Therefore we aimed to determine: (1) the rate of recurrence, (2) the complication rate, (3) and functional outcome after intralesional curettage of chondroblastoma.

HYPOTHESES

Intralesional curettage with high speed burring and packing can avoid local recurrences.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Experiences of 22 patients with chondroblastoma of the bone were retrospectively reviewed. The patient group consisted of 16 men; 6 women; mean age 24years (range; 12-58years) affecting in 15 the lower- (68%) and in seven the upper extremity (32%).

RESULTS

There was no local recurrence or malignant transformation. All patients underwent intralesional curettage, followed by defect filling presenting in 19 patients (87%) excellent clinical and oncological results (mean MSTS 98.9). Complications were seen in two patients. Pain was the main revealing symptom of the chondroblastoma (n=16, 73%). Mean follow-up of all patients was 114months (range, 25 to 480months).

DISCUSSION

Aggressive curettage and packing provided excellent local tumor control and functional results in our patients with chondroblastoma. Malignant transformation is extremely rare, however, present in literature but was not seen in any of our patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective study.

Chondroblastoma of bone in the extremities: a multicenter retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Chondroblastoma is a rare benign cartilage tumor that commonly occurs in children and adolescents. This study was designed to review the epidemiologic characteristics and outcomes of surgical management in a large series of patients with extremity chondroblastoma.

METHODS

We performed a multicenter retrospective analysis of 199 patients with extremity chondroblastoma. Clinical data, radiographic images, histological findings, treatment, and outcome were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 145 male patients and fifty-four female patients with a mean age of 18.0 years. The most commonly involved bone was the proximal part of the tibia (fifty-five patients [27.6%]), followed by the proximal part of the femur (fifty-two patients [26.1%]) and the distal part of the femur (thirty-eight patients [19.1%]). Prior to presentation, 73.4% (146 of 199 patients) experienced pain. The mean duration of pain and other symptoms was 8.7 months. The physis was open in 25.7%, it was closing in 22.2%, and it was closed in 52.1% of the patients at the time of presentation. One hundred and twenty-six patients had at least twenty-four months of follow-up; their mean follow-up duration was 62.1 months (range, twenty-four to 190 months). Initial treatment was curettage for 119 patients (94.4%) and en bloc resection for seven patients (5.6%). The local recurrence rate was 5.0% after curettage and 0% after resection. The only significant factor related to recurrence was the location of the lesion in the proximal part of the humerus (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Chondroblastoma occurs most frequently in the proximal part of the tibia and the proximal part of the femur with significant male predilection. In this series, recurrence was most frequent in the proximal part of the humerus. Our results suggest that curettage and bone-grafting provide favorable local control and satisfactory functional outcome for patients with this disease.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

What are the results using the modified trapdoor procedure to treat chondroblastoma of the femoral head?

BACKGROUND

Treatment of chondroblastoma in the femoral head is challenging owing to the particular location and its aggressive nature. There is little published information to guide the surgeon regarding the appropriate approach to treating a chondroblastoma in this location. We developed a modified trapdoor procedure to address this issue. The primary modification is that the window surface of the femoral head is covered by the ligamentum teres rather than cartilage as in the traditional procedure.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We assessed (1) the clinical presentation of chondroblastoma of the femoral head and treatment results with the modified trapdoor procedure in terms of (2) the frequency of local recurrence, (3) complications, and (4) functional outcomes using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score.

METHODS

Between 1999 and 2010, we treated 14 patients for chondroblastoma of the femoral head. All patients received the modified trapdoor procedure. Of those, 13 were available for followup at a minimum of 36 months (mean, 66 months; range, 36-117 months) and one patient was lost to followup. There were nine males and four females, with a mean age of 18 years (range, 9-29 years). Clinical features were ascertained by chart and radiographic review, and recurrence, complications, and functional outcomes (MSTS score) were recorded from chart review. Patterns of bone destruction were evaluated using the Lodwick classification, which ranges from IA (geographic appearance with sclerotic rim) to III (permeative appearance).

RESULTS

The symptoms at diagnosis were pain in nine patients and discomfort in four. The mean duration of symptom was 11 months (range, 1-36 months). The physis was open in two patients, closing in one, and closed in 10. The patterns of bone destruction were evaluated as Lodwick Class IA in six patients, Lodwick Class IB in five, and Lodwick Class IC in two. At latest followup, no local recurrence was observed. Two patients had postoperative complications. One had avascular necrosis of the femoral head and was treated with prosthesis replacement. The other had asymptomatic heterotopic ossification in the surgical field. The mean MSTS score was 29.6 (range, 28-30).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on this small series, we believe our modified trapdoor procedure is a safe, effective means of treating a chondroblastoma in the femoral head, but additional clinical evaluation with more patients is necessary to confirm our findings.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Surgical dislocation of the hip for excision of benign tumours

AIM

Surgical dislocation of hip is used to treat a variety of hip conditions. We report our experience of the approach in excision of benign tumours of the hip.

METHODS

This is a review of the cases presenting with benign tumours to a tertiary care complex hip clinic. Data was collected prospectively. All patients were radiologically investigated before surgery for anatomical detail. Surgical dislocation was carried out by the senior surgeon in all cases. Non-Arthritic Young Hip Scores were done preoperatively and at 12 months. All patients are under annual follow-up.

RESULTS

There were 9 cases of benign tumours in this series including Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis (2), synovial chondromatosis (2), fibrous dysplasia (2), osteochondroma (2) and chondroblastoma (1). No recurrences, trochanteric nonunion or avascular necrosis have been seen up to a minimum of 18 months follow-up. Non-arthritic Young Hip scores improved from a mean of 45 to 89 at 12 months.

CONCLUSION

Surgical dislocation of the hip is a useful approach for removal of benign tumours of the hip joint.

Lower recurrence rate in chondroblastoma using extended curettage and cryosurgery

PURPOSE

Various methods for the treatment of chondroblastoma of bone have been used including simple curettage, or combined with bone grafting, in addition to the use of adjuvant therapy. However, local recurrence still represents a challenge in the management of this aggressive tumour. This study focuses on evaluating the role of intraregional extended curettage together with the use of adjuvant cryotherapy and autogenous bone grafting in the treatment of benign chondroblastoma of bone aiming to decrease the recurrence rate.

METHODS

All patients with chondroblastoma included in this study underwent intralesional extended curettage, adjuvant cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen, and autogenous iliac crest bone grafting. Follow up for healing of chondroblastoma lesions and detection of any local recurrence was assessed on clinical and radiological bases. The functional outcome was assessed by the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society scoring system.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 49 months. The average time for bone healing was 7.4 months. Our rate of local recurrence is 7.1 %. Two patients (14.3 %) developed physeal growth arrest. One patient had superficial skin sloughing (7.1 %). None of the cases had pathological fracture. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumour Society functional score was 92.7 %.

CONCLUSION

Chondroblastoma is an aggressive benign bone tumour with a high rate of recurrence. The use of high-speed burr combined with adjuvant intralesional cryotherapy and iliac crest autogenous bone grafting is a reliable method of treatment with a low rate of recurrence.

Chondroblastoma and chondromyxoid fibroma

Chondroblastoma and chondromyxoid fibroma are benign but locally aggressive bone tumors. Chondroblastoma, a destructive lesion with a thin radiodense border, is usually seen in the epiphysis of long bones. Chondromyxoid fibroma presents as a bigger, lucent, loculated lesion with a sharp sclerotic margin in the metaphysis of long bones. Although uncommon, these tumors can be challenging to manage. They share similarities in pathology that could be related to their histogenic similarity. Very rarely, chondroblastoma may lead to lung metastases; however, the mechanism is not well understood.

Combined anterior and lateral approaches for bone tumors of the femoral neck and head

Few reports in the literature describe the treatment experience of benign lesions of the femoral head and neck. Between July 2005 and August 2009, twenty-four patients with bone tumor of the femoral neck and head were treated at the authors' institution. Fourteen patients had pathological fractures of the femoral neck; in the other 10 patients, the bone cortex was involved. Average tumor size was 78 cc (range, 45-130 cc). The patients were treated by curettage plus bone grafting via an anterior approach (Smith-Petersen incision) and internal fixation via a lateral approach (Hardinge approach). Average follow-up was 34 months (range, 10-68 months).Average blood loss and operative time were 450 mL and 87 minutes, respectively. Six patients experienced complications: 2 superficial wound infections, 2 immunological rejections, and 2 hollow screw loosenings and slight limps at 12 and 16 months postoperatively, respectively. No recurrence or other serious complications, such as pathological fracture, ischemic necrosis of the femoral head, or joint degeneration, occurred. Average Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score for lower extremity function was 29.2 (range, 27-30) at final follow-up, and all patients resumed their normal preoperative work and were pain free postoperatively, although 1 patient had a slight limp at final follow-up.A combination of anterior and lateral approaches may produce good clinical and functional results with minimal complications in bone tumors of the femoral neck.

Free vascularized fibula graft to treat chondroblastoma of the hip

Chondroblastomas are rare tumors that present in the epiphysis of the long bones. Bone grafting following aggressive surgical curettage has yielded the best results. When present in the femoral head, they pose a higher risk of recurrence due to the difficulty of achieving an adequate resection without destroying the structural integrity of the weight-bearing surface. This article describes a case of surgical treatment of a chondroblastoma of the femoral head with the use of a free vascularized fibula graft. A 26-year-old woman had several months of increasing left hip pain and decreased range of motion. Imaging studies confirmed a large bubbly lesion with sclerotic borders in the left femoral head consistent with chondroblastoma. After performing an aggressive and complete excisional biopsy, a large cavitary defect remained in the femoral head. Reconstruction of the defect and structural support was achieved using a free vascularized fibula. Nine years postoperatively, the patient had full hip motion, no pain, and no radiographic evidence of collapse. A free vascularized fibula graft is an excellent option for the reconstruction of a large femoral head defect after chondroblastoma resection.