Case of a Missed Giant Cell Tumor of Bone: An Opportunity to Observe its Natural History Disease

Conn Med. 2016 Sep;80(7):399-403.

Abstract

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCT) is a benign neoplasm that most commonly presents with pain and is rarely diagnosed as an incidental finding. We present the report of a young woman whose pre-operative MRI was only noted to have a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Subsequently, the patient underwent anACL reconstruction. A second MRI, performed four years later, demonstrated an enlarged mass in the same location. A retrospective evaluation of the initial MRI revealed an eccentric metaphyseal lesion. Histology obtained from the lesion demonstrated a giant cell tumor of bone. We present the case of an asymptomatic GCT discovered retrospectively as an incidental finding and reevaluated four years later. 'Ihis case serves as a reminder of the importance for the critical review of routine preoperative imaging and also offers a unique perspective on the natural history of giant cell tumor of bone.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Arthralgia / diagnosis
  • Arthralgia / etiology
  • Bone Transplantation / methods*
  • Bone and Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • Bone and Bones / pathology
  • Female
  • Femoral Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Femoral Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Femoral Neoplasms* / physiopathology
  • Femoral Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Giant Cell Tumor of Bone* / diagnosis
  • Giant Cell Tumor of Bone* / pathology
  • Giant Cell Tumor of Bone* / physiopathology
  • Giant Cell Tumor of Bone* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Image-Guided Biopsy / methods
  • Incidental Findings
  • Knee* / diagnostic imaging
  • Knee* / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Orthopedic Procedures / methods*
  • Radiography / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult