Does the management of osteofibrous dysplasia of the tibia and fibula in children should be tailored to the extent and location of the lesion? A case control study investigating different surgical options

Evaluation of subperiosteal hemicortical resection and bone grafting to treat tibial osteofibrous dysplasia in children

Osteofibrous dysplasia (OFD) is a rare disease that may lead to tibial lesions. Currently, no gold standard method exists for the treatment of OFD. Recurrence is the most severe complication in OFD. Autogenous iliac bone grafting may reduce postoperative recurrence rates in children with tibial OFD. We aimed to evaluate the clinical effects of subperiosteal hemicortical resection in patients with OFD. We included 21 patients who were diagnosed with OFD. Retrospective clinical data were analyzed from our hospital between November 2009 and October 2016. All the tibial lesions were removed with a subperiosteal hemicortical resection, and bone grafts were implanted. Patient age, sex, symptoms, lesion site, imaging, surgical methods, and histopathological data were analyzed. Local recurrence, postoperative recovery, and postoperative function were evaluated. The postoperative function was evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score (MSTS). OFD recurrence postsurgery occurred in eight patients; seven had no further recurrence after a second procedure, while one patient did not undergo another procedure. There were statistical differences in postoperative recurrence rates between the autogenous and other graft groups (P = 0.046). The median MSTS was 28 (27-30) and 30 (29.5-30) in the nonautologous (n = 15) and autologous graft groups (n = 6), respectively. The function of the nonautologous graft group was significantly worse than that of the autologous group (P = 0.029). We recommend that patients with tibial OFD undergo subperiosteal hemicortical resection plus autogenous iliac bone grafting. Our study findings showed that these patients experience reduced postoperative recurrence rates and improved prognostic function. Level of Evidence: IV.

Correction of anterior bowing complicating tibial osteofibrous dysplasia in preadolescents by osteotomy and telescopic nailing without lesional resection: a preliminary study of four-case reports

BACKGROUND

Osteofibrous dysplasia (OFD) occurs most frequently in the tibia and may result in deformity and pathological fracture. Surgical treatment such as curettage or segment excision has been performed but remains controversial due to high complication rates and surgical burden. This study introduces a new method to manage OFD with anterior bowing of the tibia using minimally invasive tibial osteotomy and telescopic rod (TR) osteosynthesis without extensive lesion resection.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 4 children with OFD and tibia bowing deformity treated with minimally invasive tibial wedge osteotomy and TR fixation between January 2015 and November 2020 was performed. Results including bone healing, complications, function based on MSTS score, and recurrance of deformity were assessed.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 29 months. Radiographs showed the median time for union was 3 months. There were no instances of refracture or recurrence of deformity. The mean post-operative MSTS score was significantly higher than preoperative score.

CONCLUSIONS

This method avoids large bone defects and reconstructive procedures. It is an effective and minimally invasive approach for managing anterior bowing deformity secondary to OFD while improving function and quality of life.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV; Case Series; Treatment Study.