Atypical cartilaginous tumours are usually treated by curettage. The purpose of this study was to show that radiofrequency ablation was an effective alternative treatment. . We enrolled 20 patients (two male, 18 female, mean age 56 years (36 to 72) in a proof-of-principle study. After inclusion, biopsy and radiofrequency ablation were performed, followed three months later by curettage and adjuvant phenolisation. The primary endpoint was the proportional necrosis in the retrieved material. Secondary endpoints were correlation with the findings on gadolinium enhanced MRI, functional outcome and complications. Our results show that 95% to 100% necrosis was obtained in 14 of the 20 patients. MRI had a 91% sensitivity and 67% specificity for detecting residual tumour after curettage. The mean functional outcome (MSTS) score six weeks after radiofrequency ablation was 27.1 (23 to 30) compared with 18.1 (12 to 25) after curettage (p < 0.001). No complications occurred after ablation, while two patients developed a pathological fracture after curettage. We have shown that radiofrequency ablation is capable of completely eradicating cartilaginous tumour cells in selective cases. MRI has a 91% sensitivity for detecting any residual tumour. Radiofrequency ablation can be performed on an outpatient basis allowing a rapid return to normal activities. If it can be made more effective, it has the potential to provide better local control, while improving functional outcome. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1540–5

Introduction. Primary bone tumours of the distal radius are rare, while it remains the third commonest site for primary lesions and recurrences of Giant Cell Tumours (GCT). The functional demands on the hand make reconstruction of the wrist joint following the excision of distal radius, particularly challenging. Methods. A single-centre retrospective study, reporting the functional and oncological outcomes of six patients (4 males, 2 females - mean age of 53 (22 to 79)) who underwent a custom-made endoprosthetic replacement of the distal radius with arthrodesis at our institution, during 1999 - 2010. Five patients were diagnosed with primary bone sarcoma of the distal radius (4 GCTs, 1 osteosarcoma) and another had a metastatic lesion from a primary renal cell carcinoma. The diagnosis was confirmed by needle biopsy in all cases. We assessed the patients' functional outcomes using the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society scoring system (MSTS) and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). Results. The mean follow-up was 3 years (up to 9.5 years). One patient died of unrelated medical causes, age 89, and one patient succumbed to renal carcinoma, age 53 (9.5 and 4 years post-operatively). All prostheses remained clinically and radiologically stable. One-year radiographs confirmed bone remodelling and osseointegration at the bone-prosthesis interface. There were no cases of local recurrence, metastases, infection or wound complications post-operatively. The mean functional outcome scores were: MSTS 73% (71 to 78), TESS 75% (73 to 79). Pain-free hand movements were restored in all cases. Discussion. Reconstruction options include curettage with/without grafting or cementing, ulna translocation, autografts (vascularised or non-vascularised ⊞/⊟ arthrodesis), allografts, custom-made megaprostheses. Custom-made endoprosthetic reconstruction of the distal radius with wrist arthrodesis following bone tumour resection represents a viable and versatile treatment option. Satisfactory outcomes are achieved with acceptable risks and functional outcomes; especially when considering the nature of the diagnosis and alternative treatment options

Aim. We investigated low grade intramedullary chondrosarcomas to see if curettage and cementation remains a strong alternative treatment to local resection. Methods. 39 patients with biopsy proven low grade chondrosarcoma treated with curettage and cementation in our clinic between 1993-2009. 32 were females and 7 were males. Mean age was 44. Mean follow up was 40.5 months. Anatomical localizations were 16 proximal humerus and 16 proximal femur, 6 distal femur and 1 proximal tibia. All patients had plain X-ray, CT scan, Tc99 bone scan and MRI before open biopsy. 28 patients had frozen intraoperative biopsy. Histological diagnosis were grade I chondrosarcoma in all our patients. Curettage followed by high speed burr and cementation with high viscosity bone cement was applied without any internal fixation. Active physiotherapy began after 2 days of the operation and full weight bearing is permitted at about 2 weeks later. Results. At 72.6 months follow up 2 patients (1 proximal humerus, 1 distal femur) developed local recurrence at 3rd month and converted to local wide excision and reconstruction with tumour prosthesis. No infection occurred in the series. All patients followed by plain X-rays and if needed CT or MRI every third month in the first year and every fourth month at the second year and 6 months thereafter. Chest CT scans obtained at every 6 months for two years. No patient developed distant metastasis including recurrence cases. Conclusion. Curettage and cementation in the treatment of low grade chondrosarcomas with a local recurrence rate of 5.1 percent proved itself as a safe and function sparing surgical method. Recurred patients turned out to be Grade II chondrosarcoma at the re-examination of resected specimens. Recurrences could be easily detected around bone cement and prompt resection with prosthetic replacement seemed to be effective

We describe a consecutive series of five patients with bone or soft-tissue sarcomas of the elbow and intra-articular extension treated by complex soft tissue, allograft bone and prosthetic joint replacement after wide extra-articular en bloc excision. All had a pedicled myocutaneous latissimus dorsi rotation flap for soft-tissue cover and reconstruction of the triceps. Wide negative surgical margins were obtained in all five patients. No local wound complications or infections were seen. There were no local recurrences at a mean follow-up of 60 months (20 to 105). The functional results were excellent in four patients and good in one. Longer term follow-up is necessary to confirm the durability of the elbow reconstruction.

We report the results of the treatment of nine children with an aneurysmal bone cyst of the distal fibula (seven cysts were juxtaphyseal, and two metaphyseal). The mean age of the children was 10 years and 3 months (7 years and 4 months to 12 years and 9 months). All had open physes. All cysts were active and in seven cases substituted and expanded the entire width of the bone (type-2 lesions). The mean longitudinal extension was 5.7 cm (3 to 10). The presenting symptoms were pain, swelling and pathological fracture. Moderate fibular shortening was evident in one patient.

In six patients curettage was performed, using phenol as adjuvant in three. Three with juxtaphyseal lesions underwent resection. A graft from the contralateral fibula (one case) and allografts (two cases) were positioned at the edge of the physis for reconstruction. The mean follow-up was 11.6 years (3.1 to 27.5). There was no recurrence.

At the final follow-up there was no significant difference in the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores (excellent/good in all cases) and in growth disturbance, alignment, stability and bone reconstitution, but in the resection group the number of operations, including removal of hardware, complications (two minor) and time of immobilisation/orthosis, were increased. Movement of the ankle was restricted in one patient.

The potential risks in the management of these lesions include recurrence, physeal injury, instability of the ankle and hardware and graft complications. Although resection is effective it should be reserved for aggressive or recurrent juxtaphyseal lesions.