Complications associated with bone cementing for the treatment of giant cell tumors of bone

Abstract

A retrospective review was conducted of giant cell tumors treated between 1984 and 1998 using the technique of aggressive curettage through a large bone window followed by acrylic cement reconstruction. Fifteen patients with a mean follow-up time of 46 months (range, 24–188 months) were identified. One patient had a local recurrence 24 months postoperatively. All the patients showed a radiolucent zone at the bone–cement interface up to 2.5mm in width during the first 6 months after operation. However, the radiolucent zones were nonprogressive and did not affect the stability of the bone cement. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint occurred 14 years postoperatively in one patient with an intraarticular fracture at presentation. A stress fracture occurred in one patient who had the largest tumor in the distal femur. Acrylic cement reconstruction is a safe and effective procedure that provides local adjuvant therapy. Giant cell tumors with an associated intraarticular fracture remain a challenging problem to treat.