Recurrent aneurysmal bone cyst of talus resulted in tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis

En bloc resection and reconstruction using a talar prosthesis for malignant talar bone tumor: a surgical technique

En bloc resection is required for treatment of intermediate-grade talar tumors with extraosseous extension (Enneking stage 3) and malignant talar tumors without intra-articular invasion (Enneking stages IA and IIA). After resection, reconstruction options include tibiocalcaneal fusion, frozen autograft, and talar prosthesis; however, a talar prosthesis is preferable because it preserves ankle range of motion, does not cause leg length discrepancy, and is associated with good long-term outcomes. To the best of our knowledge, en bloc resection and reconstruction of a malignant talar tumor has not been previously reported in detail. We report a detailed surgical technique for en bloc resection of a malignant talar bone tumor using combined anterior and lateral approaches followed by reconstruction using a talar prosthesis.

Intraosseous Ganglion Cyst of the Talus Treated With Curettage and Bone Grafting Through a Medial Malleolus Osteotomy

BACKGROUND

Intraosseous ganglion cyst (IGC) of the talus is a rare entity. There is no consensus regarding the best surgical approach to the talus. In this study, we evaluated the outcomes of curettage and bone grafting of the talus IGC via medial malleolus osteotomy.

METHODS

Seventeen patients with talus IGC who were treated between 2002 and 2020 using curettage and bone grafting through a medial malleolus osteotomy were included. The outcome measures were ankle range of motion (ROM), pain, and function. The ankle pain was evaluated by the visual analog scale (VAS). The ankle function was evaluated by the Toronto extremity salvage score (TESS) and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score.

RESULTS

The study population included 10 men and 7 women with a mean age of 34.9 ± 18.8 years and a mean follow-up of 5.4 ± 3 years. The mean size of the lesion was 2.6 ± 0.8 cm. Postoperatively, mean ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion were 19.4 ± 5.8 degrees and 36.7 ± 5.3 degrees, respectively. The mean VAS was 0.9 ± 1.1. The mean MSTS score and TESS were 96.2 ± 3.5 and 94.5 ± 4.1, respectively. Two patients developed ankle osteoarthritis after 3 years (1 stage I and 1 stage II). One of these patients (stage II) also had recurrence after 6 months (recurrence rate: 6.7%).

CONCLUSION

Talus IGC could be adequately managed with curettage and bone grafting through a medial malleolus osteotomy. Even so, mild pain and reduced ankle ROM remain in some patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective cohort study.

Reconstruction after Talar Tumor Resection: A Systematic Review

This systematic review investigated the functional outcomes and complications of reconstruction methods after talar tumor resection. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases identified 156 studies, of which 20 (23 patients) were ultimately included. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scores in the groups reconstructed using tibiocalcaneal fusion (n = 17), frozen autograft (n = 1), and talar prosthesis (n = 5) were 77.6 (range 66-90), 70, and 90 (range 87-93), respectively. Regarding complications, sensory deficits were observed in one patient (6%) and venous thrombosis in two patients (12%) in the tibiocalcaneal fusion group, while osteoarthritis was observed in one patient (100%) in the frozen autograft group. No complications were observed in the talar prosthesis group. Reconstruction with talar prosthesis seems preferable to conventional tibiocalcaneal fusion after talar tumor resection because it offers better function and fewer complications. However, as this systematic review included only retrospective studies with a small number of patients, its results require re-evaluation in future randomized controlled trials with larger numbers of patients.

Medial malleolar osteotomy for intralesional curettage and bone grafting of primary aneurysmal bone cyst of the talus

Access to the cystic lesion of the talar body without damage to the articular surface is difficult. This case report is about a 23-year-old man who had a symptomatic huge cystic lesion in the left-sided talus bone. Radiograph and CT scan showed an expansile lytic lesion within the talar body. The MRI revealed a well-defined lesion with fluid-fluid levels. The needle biopsy aspirate was haemorrhagic, and hence a diagnosis of the aneurysmal bone cyst was made. As the lesion was beneath the talar dome with an intact neck and head, a medial approach with medial malleolar osteotomy was performed. The lesion was curetted out, and the cavity was filled up with a morselised bone graft. The limb was splinted for 6 weeks, and complete weight bearing was started after 3 months. At 1-year follow-up, the lesion was found to be healed up, and the patient was pain-free with no recurrence.

Management and retrospective analysis of tumors and tumor-like lesions localized in the talus

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to investigate the characterization and follow-up results of tumors and tumor-like lesions in the talus.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-one patients (15 males, 6 females; mean age: 31.6±17 years; range, 4 to 67 years) with benign and malignant tumors or tumor-like lesions in the talus region treated and followed in our clinic between January 2007 and January 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Radiological, pathological, surgical, and demographic features were scanned from the database.

RESULTS

Patients were followed for mean 80±45.1 (range, 25 to 156) months. The most common complaint was pain and antalgic gait. Benign bone tumors were found in 15 (71%) of 21 patients, while tumor-like lesions (two intraosseous ganglia, osteomyelitis, and bone infarction) were found in four patients. The remaining two were patients with lung and bladder cancer metastasis. Lesion size was mean 2.1±0.5 (range, 1.1 to 3.3) cm. Recurrence developed in 14.3% (n=3) of the patients during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The talus is a rare location for tumors; however, benign and malignant tumors and tumor-like lesions may be localized in the talus.

Cystic bone tumors of the foot and ankle

Bone tumors are relatively rare in the foot and ankle region. Many of them present as cystic lesions on plain films. Due to the relative rarity of these lesions and the complex anatomy of the foot and ankle region, identification of such lesions is often delayed or they get misdiagnosed and mismanaged. This review discusses the most common cystic tumors of the foot and ankle including their radiographic features and principles of management.