Curettage with cement augmentation in giant cell tumors with pathological fracture: A case report

Giant cell tumors (GCT) of bone are benign tumors with local aggressiveness that most of the time occur around the metaphyseal area of long bones, often in contact with the articular cartilage. Complete curettage and cementation are the treatment of choice for giant cell tumors. Pathological fractures are not a contraindication to curettage and cementoplasty and, on the contrary, allow for early weight-bearing mobilization supported by a functional splint. The authors report a case of a giant cell tumor associated with a pathological fracture located at the distal end of the right femur, which was suspected radiologically and confirmed histologically by surgical biopsy, in a 60-year-old woman. After histological confirmation of the giant cell tumor, surgical repair consisted of curettage of the tumor with stabilization of the fracture using a DCS plate, followed by filling of the cavity with cement. The outcome was marked by consolidation of the lesion without signs of local recurrence or osteoarthritis at 2-year follow-up.