Recurrent and Refractory Giant Cell Tumor of the Jaw

Benign Tumors of the Spine: Has New Chemotherapy and Interventional Radiology Changed the Treatment Paradigm?

STUDY DESIGN

Clinically based systematic review.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the role of (A) medical treatment and (B) interventional radiology as either adjuvant or stand-alone treatment in primary benign bone tumors of the spine.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary panel of spine surgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists elaborated specific focused questions regarding aneurysmal bone cyst, giant cell tumor, and osteoid osteoma. Denosumab, bisphosphonate, interferon, bone marrow aspirate, doxycycline, thermal ablation, and selective arterial embolization were identified as areas of interest for the article. A systematic review was performed through MEDLINE and EMBASE. Recommendations based on the literature review and clinical expertise were issued using the GRADE system.

RESULTS

The overall quality of the literature is very low with few multicenter prospective studies. For giant cell tumor, combination with Denosumab identified 14 pertinent articles with four multicenter prospective studies. Nine studies were found on bisphosphonates and six for selective arterial embolization. The search on aneurysmal bone cyst and selective arterial embolization revealed 12 articles. Combination with Denosumab, Doxycycline, and bone marrow aspirate identified four, two, and three relevant articles respectively. Eleven focused articles were selected on the role of thermal ablation in osteoid osteoma.

CONCLUSION

Alternative and adjuvant therapy for primary benign bone tumors have emerged. Their ability to complement or replace surgery is now being scrutinized and they may impact significantly the algorithm of treatment of these tumors. Most of the data are still emerging and further research is desirable. Close collaboration between the different specialists managing these pathologies is crucial.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

N/A.

Giant Cell Lesion or Langerhans' Cell Histiocytosis of the Mandible? A Case Report

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (LCH), formerly known as histiocytosis X, is characterized by cell proliferation. The leading clinical symptom of LCH within mandibular and maxillary bones is pain and it may resemble periodontal diseases, apical cysts, ameloblastoma, central giant cell granuloma, vascular malformation, osteomyelitys, bone metastasis and malignancies. In this paper we present the case of a mandibular histiocytosis misdiagnosed as a reparative giant cell granuloma at the first and as an aggressive giant cell tumor at the second biopsy. Definitive diagnosis was made only after examination of surgical specimens following hemimandibulectomy.

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein type 2 jaw reconstruction in patients affected by giant cell tumor

Giant cell tumor (GCT) is a relatively common skeletal tumor. Mandibular localization of this tumor is usually treated with resection of the tumor area. Several autogenous bone-grafting techniques are available for the restoration of large continuity defects of the mandible. However, these procedures are associated with limitations involving postoperative morbidity, difficulty in ambulation (hip graft), and pain. The development of a technique of surgical reconstruction not involving autogenous bone would offer new opportunities for facial bone reconstruction, particularly of the mandible. This study aims to underline the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein type 2 (rhBMP-2) in a collagen carrier with concomitant bone grafting material in the restoration of continuity critical-size defects after GCT resection in the mandible. The rhBMP-2 was used with absorbable collagen sponge. A total dose of 4 to 8 mg of rhBMP-2 was delivered to the surgical site in concentrations of 1.5 mg/mL. The patient was followed up over a period from 6 to 18 months. Occlusal function was initially restored with conventional prosthesis. Bone formation in the surgical area could be palpated at the end of 3 to 4 months and identified radiographically at the end of 5 to 6 months. The results clearly indicated that the use of rhBMP-2 without concomitant bone grafting materials in large critical-size mandibular defects secondary to GCT produced excellent regeneration of the area, establishing the basis for the return of prosthodontic function.