Diffuse Type Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor of the Ankle

A New Simple and Practical Clinical Classification for Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumors of the Knee

Objective

To propose a simple and practical clinical classification for tenosynovial giant cell tumor (TGCT) of the knee.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted to verify the value and significance of this clinical classification. TGCT growth patterns, knee joint capsule, and bone erosion were applied to establish this novel clinical classification. Seventy‐eight patients who underwent surgery for TGCT from 2008 to 2016 were identified. This novel clinical classification was retrospectively applied to patients' existing classification, and patients with different TGCT types were statistically compared to verify the significance of the clinical classification.

Results

The clinical classification included three types and four subtypes. Type 1: localized TGCT, Subtype 1a: localized intra‐articular TGCT, Subtype 1b: localized extra‐articular TGCT. Type 2: diffuse TGCT, Subtype 2a: diffuse intra‐articular TGCT with bone normal, Subtype 2b: diffuse intra‐articular TGCT with bone destruction. Type 3: diffuse TGCT across the knee joint capsule. The mean follow‐up time for the 78 patients was 59.6 months. Twenty‐one patients were in Subtype 1a, four were Subtype 1b, 38 were Subtype 2a, seven were Subtype 2b, and eight were Type 3. Oncological results and surgical complications differed significantly (P = 0.000, P = 0.000). The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional scores differed significantly at 27.8 for Type 1 patients, 22.9 for Type 2 patients, and 17.0 for Type 3 patients (P = 0.000).

Conclusions

This clinical classification can be easily used to evaluate TGCT of all knees prior to surgery or other treatments and can help determine surgical options.

Diffuse-Type Giant Cell Tumor of the Paratenon of Achilles Tendon Requiring Reconstruction Using Bilateral Autografts: A Case Report

Although a diffuse-type giant cell tumor is a rare benign lesion, when it develops it tends to localize to the tendons of the hand and foot. In this study, we report the case of a 41-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with diffuse-type paratenon giant cell tumor involving the Achilles tendon. The duration of the bilateral tumors was 8 years. He visited first affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University for medical attention. Both his Achilles tendons required removal. The reconstructed Achilles tendon was replaced using tissue derived from the knee and foot. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well and regained full range of motion in the ankle. The use of autografts may shorten patients' recovery period.