An HIV-Positive Patient Presenting with Malignant Bone Tumor in Left Tibia Treated with Microwave Ablation for Limb Salvage

Abstract

Background: We report on a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive disease with malignant bone tumor in the left proximal tibia treated with surgery using microwave ablation (MWA). Case presentation: A 50-year-old Chinese male presented with sudden pain in left knee and weight loss that had begun 2 months prior to his visit. The preoperative X-ray and MRI scan both demonstrated a significant osteolytic destruction in the left proximal tibia surrounded with soft tissue mass. The patient underwent limb salvage surgery for his left leg with the technique of microwave ablation in situ. The pathology revealed myofibroblastic sarcoma with no positive margins, stage T2N0M0. The patient has a satisfactory functional and cosmetic limb with no evidence of disease at a follow-up time of 2 years. Conclusion: MWA is a feasible and effective surgical method for limb salvage operation, especially for the patient with poor immunological function, e.g. HIV infection. It might offer an innovative and distinctive therapeutic alternative for malignant bone tumors, while avoiding prosthesis replacement.