The epiphyseal approach to a chondroblastoma of the intercondylar notch of a child’s distal femur does not provide adequate exposure, thereby necessitating the removal of a substantial amount of unaffected bone to expose the lesion. In this study, we compared the functional outcomes, local recurrence, and surgical complications of treating a chondroblastoma of the distal femoral epiphysis by either an intercondylar or an epiphyseal approach. A total of 30 children with a chondroblastoma of the distal femur who had been treated by intraregional curettage and bone grafting were retrospectively reviewed. An intercondylar approach was used in 16 patients (group A) and an epiphyseal approach in 14 (group B). Limb function was assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scoring system and Sailhan’s functional criteria.Aims
Methods
Treatment of high-grade limb bone sarcoma that invades a joint requires en bloc extra-articular excision. MRI can demonstrate joint invasion but is frequently inconclusive, and its predictive value is unknown. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of direct and indirect radiological signs of intra-articular tumour extension and the performance characteristics of MRI findings of intra-articular tumour extension. We performed a retrospective case-control study of patients who underwent extra-articular excision for sarcoma of the knee, hip, or shoulder from 1 June 2000 to 1 November 2020. Radiologists blinded to the pathology results evaluated preoperative MRI for three direct signs of joint invasion (capsular disruption, cortical breach, cartilage invasion) and indirect signs (e.g. joint effusion, synovial thickening). The discriminatory ability of MRI to detect intra-articular tumour extension was determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis.Aims
Methods
Giant cell tumours (GCT) of the synovium and
tendon sheath can be classified into two forms: localised (giant
cell tumour of the tendon sheath, or nodular tenosynovitis) and
diffuse (diffuse-type giant cell tumour or pigmented villonodular
synovitis). The former principally affects the small joints. It
presents as a solitary slow-growing tumour with a characteristic
appearance on MRI and is treated by surgical excision. There is
a significant risk of multiple recurrences with aggressive diffuse
disease. A multidisciplinary approach with dedicated MRI, histological assessment
and planned surgery with either adjuvant radiotherapy or systemic
targeted therapy is required to improve outcomes in recurrent and
refractory diffuse-type GCT. Although arthroscopic synovectomy through several portals has
been advocated as an alternative to arthrotomy, there is a significant
risk of inadequate excision and recurrence, particularly in the
posterior compartment of the knee. For local disease partial arthroscopic
synovectomy may be sufficient, at the risk of recurrence. For both
local and diffuse intra-articular disease open surgery is advised
for recurrent disease. Marginal excision with focal disease will
suffice, not dissimilar to the treatment of GCT of tendon sheath.
For recurrent and extra-articular soft-tissue disease adjuvant therapy,
including intra-articular radioactive colloid or moderate-dose external
beam radiotherapy, should be considered.
