A case study on recurrent giant cell tumor of distal end radius

Abstract

Abstract Background: Based on location distal end radius is the second most common for giant cell tumors (GCTs) followed by the knee. Like at any other location, they are treated with extended curettage or resection but reports of recurrence are increasingly coming up. In this study, we aim to treat the recurrent distal end radius GCTs and their outcome after Index surgeries. Materials and Methods: This case report was done in the year 2022–2023 on a patient with recurrent distal end radius GCT of age of 30 years. Recurrence had occurred after curettage and even after resection as index surgery. The recurrent lesion was treated with resection, excisional biopsy, fibula strut grafting, and wrist arthrodesis. The follow-up period was 12 months. Results: In various studies, when the patients with joint preservation were treated with curettage and those with resection of soft tissue recurrences were done with salvage of joint had better functional outcomes with a mean musculoskeletal tumor society (MSTS) score. In our case with arthrodesis using fibular strut grafting had a low MSTS score. The overall functional outcome was satisfactory. Conclusions: We conclude that local recurrence of GCT after curettage in long bones if contained within the bone and/or extending into the soft tissue, can be successfully treated with further more extensive surgery in an attempt to obtain wide margins with minimal risk of increased morbidity. It does increase some morbidity but there is significant gain with respect to the cure of the disease.