Abstract
Giant cell tumor (GCT) is a benign bone tumor with aggressive characteristics and capacity to metastasize. They are more common in the third decade of life and demonstrate a preference for being located in the epiphyseal region of long bones. They have a high local recurrence rate, which depends on the type of treatment and initial tumor presentation. Early detection of GCT is possible with proper clinical assessment and radiograph. However, due to its rarity, physicians may have neglected the possibility of bone tumor as one of the differential diagnosis for cases referred as “soft tissue injury”.We report a case of a 22-year-old lady who presented with seven-month-history of right knee pain, lateral joint line tenderness and positive McMurray test and initially treated as right lateral meniscus injury. However, the knee pain worsened over time and became persistent despite starting on physiotherapy and home-based-exercises. Upon subsequent visit two months later, she presented with tender bony swelling over the lateral tibial plateau and radiological examination revealed a lytic lesion over her proximal right tibia. Magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology testing confirmed the diagnosis of Giant cell tumor. This case report aims to increase the awareness of possible bone tumors in soft tissue injury cases and highlight the importance of detailed reassessment and reviewing diagnosis during each follow up.International Journal of Human and Health Sciences Vol. 04 No. 02 April’20 Page : 148-151
Highlights
Giant cell tumor (GCT), known as osteoclastoma, is a benign neoplasm that accounts for 5% of primary bone tumors
The local recurrence rate ranges between 20% to 50% while about 10% of the cases can transform into malignant tumor.3,4Early detection of GCT is possible with proper clinical assessment and radiograph
Our case report highlights an interesting case of GCT mimicking a lateral meniscus injury and the importance of recognizing this rare tumor
Summary
Giant cell tumor (GCT), known as osteoclastoma, is a benign neoplasm that accounts for 5% of primary bone tumors. She was discharged with the diagnosis of soft tissue injury, and referral was subsequently made to our Sports Medicine Clinic for further management. Initial assessment at the Sports Medicine Clinic in April 2018 revealed that the pain was localized around the anterolateral aspect of the right knee with lateral joint line tenderness and positive McMurray test. A diagnosis of lateral meniscus injury was made and patient was started on rehabilitation exercises such as quadriceps strengthening and proprioception She was due to be re-reviewed in two months. During subsequent visit to the clinic, she reported that the pain progressively worsened in severity and became persistent especially at night She started to notice swelling over her right knee. With clinical diagnosis and biopsy of giant cell tumor, the patient was planned for adjuvant radiotherapy and surgical resection with curettage later
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