Chondroblastoma of the femoral head: Curettage without dislocation

Abstract

Background: Chondroblastoma (CBL)of femoral head is a rare disease, and its treatment is still controversial. The purpose of this research is to share our experience in curettage without dislocation for femoral head chondroblastoma. Methods: A total of 7 children diagnosed with chondroblastoma of the femoral head underwent a surgical procedure involving curettage, the application of anhydrous alcohol as an adjuvant therapy, and subsequent bone grafting. The epiphyseal plate status of the femoral head was categorized as open, closing, or closed. To assess the children's postoperative functional outcome, the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society (MSTS) scoring system was employed. Additionally, the Lodwick classification served to evaluate the extent of bone destruction. Furthermore, the kappa coefficient was utilized to quantify the level of agreement among observers in assessing the status of the epiphyseal plate. Results: The epiphyseal plate status was closing in two patients and closed in five patients. According to the Lodwick classification, three patients were classified as IA, one as IB, and three as IC. The mean MSTS score was 27.86. Notably, one patient sustained a femoral neck fracture three months post-curettage. Conclusions: Curettage without surgical dislocation, combined with the use of anhydrous alcohol as an adjuvant therapy, followed by bone grafting, constitutes an effective treatment technique for femoral head chondroblastoma (CBL).