Primary bone tumours of the talus: The Scottish Bone Tumour Registry experience

Abstract

Primary bone tumours of the talus are rare and the existing literature is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of primary bone tumours affecting this uncommon site and suggest a management protocol for these tumours. We retrospectively reviewed the Scottish Bone Tumour Register from January 1954 to May 2010 and included all primary bone tumours of the talus. We identified only twenty three bone tumours over fifty six years highlighting the rarity of these tumours. There were twenty benign and three malignant tumours with a mean age of twenty eight years. A delay in presentation was common with a mean time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of ten months. Tumour types identified were consistent with previous literature. We identified cases of desmoplastic fibroma and intraosseous lipodystrophy described for the first time. We suggest an investigatory and treatment protocol for patients with a suspected primary bone tumour of the talus.