Giant Cell Tumour Around Knee Managed by Curettage and Zoledronic Acid with Structural Support by Fibula Cortical Struts

A Retrospective Audit of Demography and Different Surgical Modalities Adopted for Giant Cell Tumor of Bone in Eastern India

Background and objective

There is scarce data on demography and different surgical treatment modalities for giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) from eastern India. In light of this, the present study aimed to examine the demographic characteristics, different surgical treatment modalities, and recurrence rate of GCTB at a tertiary care institute in Bihar.

Materials and methods

A retrospective audit of 52 GCTB patients who were treated at the center from January 2016 to December 2020 was conducted. The minimum follow-up period was one year. GCTB patients underwent surgical procedures ranging from extended intralesional curettage with bone graft or bone cement with or without fixation to wide local excision to resection with or without reconstruction or amputation depending on the stage and site of the tumors.

Results

The mean age of patients was 31.86 years (range: 13-67 years). The distal femur (20 patients, 38.46%) and proximal tibia (11 patients, 21.15%) were the most common sites of the tumor. Sixty-eight confirmed cases (male: 32, female: 36) of GCTB were operated on, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.125. Sixteen patients (four males and 12 females) were lost to follow-up. So, the final study consisted of 52 patients with a median age of 28 years (first quartile: 24 years, third quartile: 38 years). The majority of patients (32 patients, 61.53%) were in the third and fourth decades of life.

Conclusion

Based on this retrospective audit, it is concluded that the knee region is the most common site of GCTB. Surgery is the mainstay of management. Most of the patients came under Campanacci Grade 3 with low compliance with follow-up and adherence to the treatment. Hence, educational programs, the establishment of early detection centers, and timely referral to expert treatment are necessary.

Joint preservation surgery in grade 2 and 3 giant cell tumors of bone around the knee

Objective: To evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of joint preservation surgery in high-grade giant cell tumors (GCT) around the knee joint. Methods: A retrospective review of 25 patients of high-grade GCT (Campanacci grade 2 and 3) involving proximal tibia or distal femur managed by extended curettage, bone grafting, and stabilization with knee spanning external fixator between 2016 and 2018 was done. The radiographic outcomes, functional outcomes (Musculoskeletal Tumor Society [MSTS] score for lower limb), and complications including donor site morbidity were evaluated. Results: The mean age of the patient population was 24.04 years with an average follow-up period of 30.24 months. Fourteen patients had involvement of distal femur, and 11 involved proximal tibia. There were 16 cases of grade 2 lesions and 9 cases of grade 3 lesions. Twenty-four out of the 25 patients had radiological consolidation of graft, while one patient had graft subsidence. Twenty-two out of 25 patients had full extension and knee flexion more than 100 degrees. The mean MSTS score was 25.2. Three patients had an MSTS score under 20. All three patients had an extension lag with a restricted range of motion. Conclusion: Joint preservation surgery, when done in line with the basic principles of tumor surgery, gives good radiographic and functional outcomes even in grade 2 and 3 giant cell tumors of bone around the knee and should be attempted before replacement surgeries.

Role of Zoledronic Acid Supplementation in Reducing Post-Surgical Recurrence of Giant Cell Tumor of Bone: A Meta-Analysis of Comparative Studies

Zoledronic acid is a bisphosphonate that has recently gained interest in adjuvant therapy for giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB). It has an apoptotic effect on osteoclasts that are precursors of GCTB. However, the evidence suggesting the role of zoledronic acid in preventing GCTB recurrence is mixed, and therefore, a consensus is yet to be established. The purpose of the current meta-analysis was to analyze the impact of zoledronic acid supplementation on tumor recurrence in surgical treated GCTB.

A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases to identify studies that analyzed the impact of local or systemic zoledronic acid supplementation on clinical outcomes in surgically treated GCTB. The data from the comparative studies were pooled and analyzed to investigate the association of zoledronic acid supplementation with tumor recurrence. Additionally, other factors such as age, gender, soft tissue extension, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement application, recurrent presentation, and extended curettage were also investigated for any association with tumor recurrence.

Of the 271 results, 13 unique studies reported the clinical outcomes in GCTB. Seven studies compared the outcomes of zoledronic acid supplementation with control groups. Six studies presented the tumor recurrence-related data among the comparison groups. The zoledronic acid supplementation was associated with significantly lower tumor recurrence rates (p = 0.007). Additionally, a significant association of soft tissue extension and non-usage of PMMA cement with tumor recurrence were observed.

The current meta-analysis suggests that zoledronic acid supplementation reduces tumor recurrence rates in surgically treated GCTB. We, therefore, recommend the use of zoledronic acid following aggressive extended curettage of the tumor. Further, well-planned randomized controlled trials will help strengthen this evidence.