Thoracic giant cell tumor after two total en bloc spondylectomies including one emergency surgery:A case report

BACKGROUND For patients with acute paraplegia caused by spinal giant cell tumor(GCT)who require emergency decompressive surgery,there is still a lack of relevant reports on surgical options.This study is the first to present the case of an acute paraplegic patient with a thoracic spinal GCT who underwent an emergency total en bloc spondylectomy(TES).Despite tumor recurrence,three-level TES was repeated after denosumab therapy.CASE SUMMARY A 27-year-old female patient who underwent single-level TES in an emergency presented with sudden severe back pain and acute paraplegia due to a thoracic spinal tumor.After emergency TES,the patient's spinal cord function recovered,and permanent paralysis was avoided.The postoperative histopathological examination revealed that the excised neoplasm was a rare GCT.Unfortunately,the tumor recurred 9 months after the first surgery.After 12 months of denosumab therapy,the tumor size was reduced,and tumor calcification.To prevent recurrent tumor progression and provide a possible cure,a three-level TES was performed again.The patient returned to an active lifestyle 1 month after the second surgery,and no recurrence of GCT was found at the last follow-up.CONCLUSION This patient with acute paraplegia underwent TES twice,including once in an emergency,and achieved good therapeutic results.TES in emergency surgery is feasible and safe when conditions permit;however,it may increase the risk of tumor recurrence.

Multimodal imaging in the diagnosis of bone giant cell tumors:A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Giant cell tumor of bone is a locally aggressive and rarely metastasizing tumor,and also a potential malignant tumor that may develop into a primary malignant giant cell tumor.AIM To evaluate the role of multimodal imaging in the diagnosis of giant cell tumors of bone.METHODS The data of 32 patients with giant cell tumor of bone confirmed by core-needle biopsy or surgical pathology at our hospital between March 2018 and March 2023 were retrospectively selected.All the patients with giant cell tumors of the bone were examined by X-ray,computed tomography(CT)and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI),and 7 of them were examined by positron emission tomography(PET)-CT.RESULTS X-ray imaging can provide overall information on giant cell tumor lesions.CT and MRI can reveal the characteristics of the internal structure of the tumor as well as the adjacent relationships of the tumor,and these methods have unique advantages for diagnosing tumors and determining the scope of surgery.PET-CT can detect small lesions and is highly valuable for identifying benign and malignant tumors to aid in the early diagnosis of metastasis.CONCLUSION Multimodal imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of giant cell tumor of bone and can provide a reference for the treatment of giant cell tumors.

Management of a rare giant cell tumor of the distal fibula: A case report

BACKGROUND Aggressive giant cell tumor of the distal fibula is so rare that no consensus on a surgical strategy has been reached.Thus,an appropriate treatment strategy is still important to discuss.CASE SUMMARY A 61-year-old man who had been experiencing progressive swelling of the left lateral malleolus accompanied by pain for half a year was presented at our hospital.He had never been treated prior to coming to our hospital.Preoperative imaging revealed a 10 cm×6 cm mass located in the body of the distal fibula.Pathological biopsies confirmed it was a giant cell tumor.Preoperative examination revealed he had dilated cardiomyopathy with class 3 cardiac function.The cardiologist and anesthesiologist determined that he could tolerate the operation,but the operation should be as short and minimally invasive as possible.With the patient’s consent,we performed a tibiotalar fusion and followed up with him for 2years,finding no recurrence and a satisfactory recovery.CONCLUSION Tibial talus fusion is an effective method for the treatment of distal fibula tumors.

Osteoclast-like giant cell tumors of the pancreas and liver

Osteoclast-like giant cell tumors （OGCT） are rare abdominal tumors, which mainly occur in the pancreas. The neoplasms are composed of two distinct cell populations and frequently show an inhomogenous appearance with cystic structures. However, due to the rarity of these tumors, only very limited clinical data are available. Imaging features and sonographic appearance have hardly been characterized. Here we report on two cases of osteoclast-like giant cell tumors, one located within the pancreas, the other within the liver, in which OGCTs are extremely rare. Both patients were investigated by contrast sonography, which demonstrated a complex, partly cystic and strongly vascularized tumor within the head of the pancreas in the first patient and a large, hypervascularized neoplasm with calcifications within the liver in the second patient. The liver OGCT responded well to a combination of carboplatin, etoposide and paclitaxel. With a combination of surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation and chemotherapy, the patient＇s survival is currently more than 15 too, making him the longest survivor with an OGCT of the liver to date.

Three-dimensional-printed custom-made patellar endoprosthesis for recurrent giant cell tumor of the patella:A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Giant cell tumor(GCT)is a benign lesion and rarely involves the patella.This disease is characterized by a relatively high recurrence rate after primary treatment.En bloc resection has been a predominant option for recurrent GCT.However,total patellectomy can lead to disruption of the knee.Therefore,exploration of functional reconstruction of the extensor mechanism is worthwhile.CASE SUMMARY A 54-year-old woman presented with right knee pain and swelling,and was diagnosed as having a GCT in the patella following curettage and autograft.Medical imaging revealed a lytic and expanded lesion involving the whole patella with focal cortical breaches and pathological fracture.Based on the combination of histological,radiological,and clinical features,a diagnosis of recurrent GCT in the patella was made(Campanacci grade III).After a multidisciplinary team discussion,three-dimensional(3D)-printed custom-made patellar endoprosthesis was performed following en bloc resection for reconstructing the extensor mechanism.The patient was followed for 35 mo postoperatively.No evidence of local recurrence,pulmonary metastasis,or osteoarthritis of the right knee was observed.The active flexion arc was 0°-120°,and no extension lag was detected.A favorable patellar tracking and height(Insall-Salvati ratio 0.93)were detected by radiography.CONCLUSION We depict a case of a GCT at the right patella,which was successfully treated by patellectomy and 3D-printed custom-made endoprosthetic replacement.The patella normal reconstruction,the precise-fit articular design,and gastrocnemius flap augmentation could lead to satisfactory knee function and a low rate of complications in the short-term follow-up.

Three-dimensional printed talar prosthesis with biological function for giant cell tumor of the talus:A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Giant cell tumors(GCT)are most commonly seen in the distal femur.These tumors are uncommon in the small bones of the hand and feet,and a very few cases have been reported.A giant cell tumor of the talus is rarely seen clinically and could be a challenge to physicians.CASE SUMMARY We report a rare case of GCT of the talus in one patient who underwent a new reconstructive surgery technique using a three-dimensional(3D)printing talar prosthesis.The prosthesis shape was designed by tomographic image processing and segmentation using technology to match the intact side by mirror symmetry with 3D post-processing technologies.The patient recovered nearly full range of motion of the ankle after 6 mo.The visual analogue scale and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores were 1 and 89 points,respectively.CONCLUSION We demonstrated that 3D printing of a talar prosthesis is a beneficial option for GCT of the talus.

Malignant giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath of the right hip:A case report

BACKGROUND Malignant giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath(MGCTTS)is an extremely rare malignant tumor originating from synovial and tendon sheath tissue with highly aggressive biological behavior and a high rate of local recurrence and distant metastasis which should be considered a highly malignant sarcoma and managed aggressively.How to systemically treat MGCTTS remains a challenge.In this case,a patient with MGCTTS suffered a recurrence after 2 surgical resections received adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy,but the treatment outcome remained poor.More clinical trials and better understanding of the biology and molecular aspects of this subtype of sarcoma are needed while novel medicines should be developed to efficiently target particular pathways.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old man presented with persistent dull pain in the right groin accompanied by limited right hip motion starting 6 mo ago.Two months before his attending to hospital,the patient’s pain worsened,presenting as severe pain when standing or walking,limping,and inability to straighten or move the right lower extremity.Surgical excision was performed and MGCTTS was confirmed by pathology examination.Two recurrences occurred after surgical resection,moreover,the treatment outcome remained poor after adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy.The patient died only 10 mo after the initial diagnosis.CONCLUSION MGCTTS is characterized by a joint mass with pain and limited motion.It typically grows along the tendons and infiltrated into the surrounding muscle and bone tissue,with a stubborn tendency to relapse,as well as pulmonary metastasis.Radically surgical resection provides a choice of treatment whereas post-operation care should be taken to preserve the function of the joint.Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be used as alternative treatments when radical resection cannot be performed.

Functional Outcomes of Limb Salvage Surgery in Patients with Giant Cell Tumor of Bone of the Lower Extremities: A Retrospective Study

Giant cell tumor of the bone(GCTB)is a benign,locally aggressive neoplasm that is relatively rare,with a propensity to result in progressive bone destruction,and is associated with a high risk of recurrence.There is no widely held consensus regarding its ideal treatment.Worldwide,there are varying techniques ranging from intralesional curettage to resection of the lesion,supplemented with combinations of numerous adjuncts and fillers,depending on the resected amount and integrity of bone,as well as the preference of the surgeon.This was a cross-sectional study that included 20 patients who underwent limb salvage surgery for giant cell tumor of the bone of the lower extremities from January 2009 to February 2020 at two tertiary hospitals.The mean follow-up period was 37.3 months(SD=2.84).The extended curettage(EC)group had a mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Rating Scale(MSTS)score of 28.18(SD=7.51)which is considered as an excellent outcome,while the resection(RS)group had an mean MSTS score of 19.67(SD=11.02),which is considered as a good outcome.EC resulted to a total of eight complications(47%),while RS had one complication(33%).Prevalence of recurrence was noted to be 11.75%among those who underwent EC,while no recurrence was noted among those in the RS group.Use of bone cement as a filler was noted to have less recurrence as compared with the use of bone grafts,however were both were noted to result in excellent functional outcomes.Despite the prevalence of complications and recurrence of GCTB of the salvaged extremity in those who underwent EC,there is still report of excellent functionality.It is hence important to disclose all these possible outcomes and to stress the importance of compliance to follow-up for monitoring of these events.

Retrospective analysis of patients with rare-site and metastatic giant cell tumor

A giant cell tumor occurs mainly in the proximal tibia,humerus,distal radius bone and the pelvic bone.It is rarely observed in such sites as the ribs and the temporal bone.The condition is primarily treated with surgical excision and functional reconstruction.The effect of chemotherapy on lung metastases and locally advanced giant cell tumors has remained unknown.We collected and analyzed the data of six patients with rare giant cell tumors located in the head and neck patients.After an average follow-up of 42.6 months after surgery （14 to 90 months）,no local recurrence or metastasis was observed.We also collected and analyzed the data of five patients with metastatic giant cell tumors who were undergoing surgery for the primary tumor before; of three patients who had experienced multiple chemotherapy cycles,one had spontaneous regression,and one survived for long timer despite progression.The other two patients had their major metastatic lesions resected by surgery,and presented long-term survival during the follow up.In addition,this study reports one patient with locally advanced giant cell tumor of the rib,who has undergone successful surgical resection following two cycles of chemotherapy with ifosfamide and liposomal doxorubicin.Complete resection of the lesion at the head and neck is the key to relapse-free survival.The prognosis of lung metastases in patients with giant cell tumors is relatively satisfying.Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is also conducive to the surgery for locally advanced lesions and improvement of the quality of life.

Malignant giant cell tumor in the left upper arm soft tissue of an adolescent:A case report

BACKGROUND Giant cell tumor of soft tissue(GCT-ST)is an extremely rare low-grade soft tissue tumor that is originates in superficial tissue and rarely spreads deeper.GCT-ST has unpredictable behavior.It is mainly benign,but may sometimes become aggressive and potentially increase in size within a short period of time.CASE SUMMARY A 17-year-old man was suspected of having a fracture,based on radiography following left shoulder trauma.One month later,the swelling of the left shoulder continued to increase and the pain was obvious.Computed tomography(CT)revealed a soft tissue mass with strip-like calcifications in the left shoulder.The mass invaded the adjacent humerus and showed an insect-like area of destruction at the edge of the cortical bone of the upper humerus.The marrow cavity of the upper humerus was enlarged,and a soft tissue density was seen in the medullary cavity.Thoracic CT revealed multiple small nodules beneath the pleura of both lungs.A bone scan demonstrated increased activity in the left shoulder joint and proximal humerus.The mass showed mixed moderate hypointensity and hyperintensity on T1-weighted images,and mixed hyperintensity on T2-weighted fat-saturated images.The final diagnosis of GCT-ST was confirmed by pathology.CONCLUSION GCT-STs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors and monitored for large increases in size.

Tenosynovial giant cell tumor involving the cervical spine: A case report

BACKGROUND Tenosynovial giant cell tumors(TGCTs)are a frequent benign proliferative disease originating from the synovial membrane.However,TGCTs rarely occur in the spine.The purpose of this paper is to report a case of TGCT occurring in the cervical spine.Although the disease is rare,it is essential to consider the possibility of TGCT in axial skeletal lesions.Awareness of spinal TGCTs is important because their characteristics are similar to common spinal tumor lesions.CASE SUMMARY A 49-year-old man with a 2-year history of neck pain and weakness in both lower extremities was referred to our ward.Imaging revealed a mass extending from the left epidural space to the C4-5 paravertebral muscles with uneven enhancement.The tumor originated in the synovium of the C4-5 lesser joint and eroded mainly the C4-5 vertebral arch and spine.Puncture biopsy was suggestive of a giant cellrich lesion.The patient had pulmonary tuberculosis,and we first administered anti-tuberculosis treatment.After the preoperative requirements of the antituberculosis treatment were met,we used a posterior cervical approach to completely remove the mass after fixation with eight pedicle screws.The mass was identified as a TGCT by postoperative immunohistochemical analysis.Recurrence was not detected after 1 year of follow-up.CONCLUSION Spinal TGCTs are often misdiagnosed.The radiological changes are not specific.The ideal treatment comprises complete excision with proper internal fixation,which can significantly reduce postoperative recurrence.

Traumatic giant cell tumor of rib: A case report

BACKGROUND Giant cell tumor(GCT)of the anterior rib origin is extremely rare.We report the first case of trauma-induced GCT of the rib.CASE SUMMARY A 22-year-old female developed a mass over the right anterior chest wall with pain 3 mo after a falling injury with blunt trauma of the right chest wall.Chest computed tomography(CT)showed a tumor originating from the right 6th rib with bony destruction,and a CT-guided needle biopsy revealed a GCT.We completely resected the tumor with chest wall and performed reconstruction.The pathological diagnosis was GCT of the bone.Twelve months after surgery,no signs of recurrence were observed.CONCLUSION GCT of the rib after trauma has not been reported.Meticulous history-taking and image evaluation are essential for the differential diagnosis of unusual chest wall tumors.

Multicentric giant cell tumor of bone:a report of nine cases and literature review

Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical,radiographic and histiopathologic features of multicentric giant cell tumor of bone.Methods:All the clinical data of twenty tumors in nine patients of multicentric giant cell tumor that underwent surgical treatment in our department from 1990 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed,which included three males and six females.The patients ranged from 15 to 45 years at diagnosis,with an average age of 22.3 years.Three of the patients were younger than twenty years of age.Most tumors arose in long bones,especially around the knee.Radiographically,the tumors in long bones usually manifested as expansive lytic lesions involving the metaphysis and extending into the epiphysis.Three tumors in three patients were confined to the metaphysis,and one tumor exhibited bone-forming lesions.All tumors were treated with curettage or resection.Results:The typical "giant cell" could be found in the oncologic examination in all cases.In some areas,such as the fibrohistiocytic regions,reactive bone forming and aneurysmal bone cyst-like changes could be found.Follow-up averaged 3.5 years,ranging from 6 months to 12 years.There was a recurrence of three tumors,and one patient died of pulmonary metastasis.Conclusion:Multicentric giant cell tumor occur often in younger patients than do solitary giant cell tumor.They are frequently present around the knee,and confined to the metaphysis.Each tumor arose independently,rather than being in multiple sites of metastatic lesion that develop from a single tumor.The risk of recurrence depends on the type of surgery that is performed.

Characteristics of primary giant cell tumor in soft tissue on magnetic resonance imaging:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary soft tissue giant cell tumor(GCT-ST)is rare and has relatively low malignant potential.Most reports are pathological and clinical studies,while imaging studies have only been reported in cases of adjacent bone or with atypical cystic degeneration.With regard to the findings on magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)or ultrasonography,superficial masses can be further identified based on facial edema,skin thickening,skin contact,internal hemorrhage or necrosis and lobulation of the mass.Unlike deep-seated masses,MRI features do not always provide an accurate diagnosis for benign and malignant patients with superficial soft-tissue lesions.Thus,the application of diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)to evaluate superficial soft tissue tumors is necessary.CASE SUMMARY A 36-year-old woman who had a suspected malignant tumor in the upper limb on ultrasound and computed tomography is reported.The signal intensity of the suspected tumor was heterogeneous on plain MRI;nodular and heterogeneous enhancement was observed in the tumor with irregular shapes and blurred margins on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.The lesion on DWI was hyperintense with a higher mean apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value.Finally,a GCT-ST was confirmed by pathology.This case suggests that GCT-ST should be distinguished as a benign soft tissue mass from giant cell-rich soft tissue neoplasms or malignant tumors.CONCLUSION The MRI features of the superficial GCT-ST in the upper limb included heterogeneous signal intensity within the lesion on T2-weighted image(T2WI)and T1-weighted fat-saturation spoiled gradient recalled echo(T1 FSPGR),nodular enhancement with blurred margins,irregular shapes,and a slow-increased enhancement.DWI could be used to differentiate a benign soft tissue mass from a malignant mass by the mean ADC value and provide more radiologic-pathologic information for the diagnosis of GCT-ST.Comprehensive imaging of primary GCT-ST could help complete tumor resection,and in turn likely prolong survival after surgery.

Soft tissue recurrence of giant cell tumor of bone: A report of two cases and literature review

We investigated the clinical features of soft-tissue recurrence in giant cell tumor of bone （GCTB）. Among 106 cases with GCTB in our hospital, there were 2 cases occurring soft-tissue recurrence which histories were reported. These two soft-tissue recurrences occurred with the interval of 6.9 years and 2.5 years respectively from pdmary diagnosis. The clinical presentation was nonspecific masses in soft tissue. Radiographic ossification was not found at periphery or within the masses. Through pathological examination peripheral ossification was found in 1 case and malignant transformation occurred in the other case. Through retrieving and reviewing literatures in PubMed, 19 cases of soft-tissue recurrence with detailed materials were collected and analyzed. Soft-tissue recurrence of GCTB is a rare episode which reflects its locally aggressive nature, the reasons of which are tumor cells implantation and tumor residual. Ossification at periphery or in the masses can be considered as a pathognomonic character of this episode in radiographic and pathohistological examination. The prevention lies in determining tumor extension preoperatively, proper non-tumor manipulations, removing the tumor and irrigating operative wound as completely as possible.

Autograft-prosthesis composite for aggressive giant cell tumor of bone around knee

Objective： The aim of the research was to study the clinical feasibility of autograft-prosthesis composite for aggressive giant call tumor of bone around knee. Methods： Seven patients （5 males and 2 females, the mean age of 30.5 years old） with giant cell tumor of bone around knee underwent tumor resection and reconstructed with autograft-prosthesis composites since January 2006. Five lesions located at the distal femur and 2 at the proximal tibia. There were 3 patients with primary tumor and 4 with recurrent. Three patients with pathological fracture and all patients were of Campanacci Ⅲ. Results： All patients were done follow-up from 12 to 36 months. No recurrence, metastasis, and prosthesis loosening were found. The mean healing time between autograft and host bone was 5 months. The mean motion range of affected knee were 90° （70°-110°）. Conclusion： Our data documented the clinical feasibility of autograft-prosthesis composite for giant cell tumor of bone around knee which should be performed tumor resection and reconstructed with prosthesis. The long-term outcomes remain to be further proven.

Giant cell tumor involving radial diaphysis

Giant cell tumor (GCT) of the bone is a benign but locally aggressive & destructive lesion. This tumor is usually seen in patients over 20 years of age. Less than 2% are found in part with open epiphysis. The epiphyseal portion of the bone is characteristic site of giant cell tumor. In rare instances, giant cell tumor can occur in the diaphysis of long tubular bone without involving the epiphysis. Although age, clinical and radiological features are helpful, it is still the histology that helps to clinch the diagnosis. It is important to distinguish giant cell tumor of diaphysis from the giant cell rich lesions, more common in this site.

Giant Cell Tumor of the Wrist: Rare Location of the Distal Ulna

Giant cell tumor of the wrist is a rare, benign and usually symptomatic condition. The discovery is sometimes made following a medical imaging examination or a painful symptomatology or more often a visible or palpable swelling with or without vascular and/or nerve compression. At an advanced stage, the X-ray is of paramount importance. The well codified complete surgical resection is part of the therapeutic arsenal. We present a clinical case report of a young woman with a giant cell tumor localized in the wrist in N’Djamena, Chad. This case concerns a 25-year-old patient who presented in July 2020 of a painful swelling lateral to her left wrist bone and whose X-ray radiography showed lysis of the cortical bone in the lower third of the ulna. After the operative resection of the tumor mass, the pathological examination of the operative specimen revealed the diagnosis of a giant cell tumor. A giant cell tumor is a benign condition, with a few symptoms and the location at the ulna is exceptional. Complete surgical resection is a viable treatment option.

Clinical Features of Giant Cell Tumor of Bone in Elderly Patients

Background: Giant cell tumor of the bone (GCTB) occurs most often in younger individuals aged between 20 and 40 years. However, it also occurs in a small proportion of elderly people. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the clinical characteristics of GCTB in elderly people, as only few reports have completely examined the characteristics of GCTB in elderly patients. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 69 patients with benign GCTB. Patients’ information on age, sex, anatomical location and size, Campanacci grade, pathological fracture, treatment for primary tumors, local and distant relapse, and outcome was collected. We compared these clinical courses between the younger and older groups. We divided the age groups into three subgroups: ≤54 years and ≥55 years, ≤59 years and ≥60 years, and ≤64 years and ≥65 years. We compared the two groups in each subgroup. In addition, we examined factors affecting local recurrence and distant metastasis. Results: Tumor size was significantly larger in the older group between the two subgroups of 55 and 60 years. Kaplan-Meier curves for local recurrence-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival between the two subgroups of 65 years showed significant differences (p = 0.0183 and p = 0.0014). In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, female sex, curettage-only surgical procedure, and denosumab usage before surgery affected local recurrence. Conclusion: Age is unlikely to affect local recurrence and distant metastases in GCTB patients, but local recurrence and distant metastases may be noted in elderly patients aged ≥65 years with GCTB.

Giant Cell Tumor of the Proximal Phalanx of the Little Finger about One Case in Our Milieu

Giant cell tumor is a benign primary bone tumor. The phalangeal localization is rare. It is distinguished from other locations by the local aggressiveness of the tumor and a high rate of recurrence. We report one case of a 25-year-old right-handed nurse with no reported pathological history who complained about an ulcero-budding mass of the right little finger evolving one year ago. She would have initially consulted a bonesetter who would have taken care of her by using decoctions. The hand X-ray showed an osteolytic tumor of the first phalanx of the right little finger with a “honeycomb” appearance invading the soft tissues. We carried out the amputation of the radius. The postoperative course was simple with healing of the surgical wound and disappearance of the axillary adenopathy. The surgical specimen after anatomopathology exam concluded to be a grade 2 giant cell tumor of Senerkin.