Giant Cell Tumour of the Patella: A Missing Differential Diagnosis in the Young

Abstract

Herein, we discuss the case of a 26-year-old male patient with a diagnosis of giant cell tumour (GCT) of the patella which is an exceptionally uncommon condition. The motive of reporting a rare case such as the giant cell tumour of the bone (GCTB) relies on its diagnostic incidence. Since the symptoms of this tumour overlap more common etiologies than GCT, the diagnosis of such a devastating malignant tumour is usually missed and hence delayed, which leads to poor treatment strategies and ultimately an irreversible fatal outcome.

Giant Cell Tumor of Patella with Secondary Aneurysmal Bone Cyst-A Rare Case Report of Anterior Knee Pain in Young Adults

“…The first knee radiograph was done when the patient presented to us, and we identified a lytic lesion involving the entire patella. GCT continues to be the most common among the patellar tumors, and with its growing incidence, it has to be considered an important differential while evaluating chronic knee pain in adolescents [ 6 ]. Secondary ABC has been associated with GCT in almost 14% of cases of long-term bony involvement [ 9 ].…”

“…Both of these tumors were radiologically graded as Campanacci grade 2 on initial evaluation pre-opertively. Iqbal et al [ 6 ] recommended patellectomy as a better single-shot management of such tumors, which yields good results with proper extensor repair. In another article by Slavchev et al [ 2 ], it has been highlighted that, being a rare tumor with no strict treatment protocol, it is better to opt for patellectomy for these locally aggressive tumors.…”

“…However the occurrence of a symbiotic tumor where both these components coexist is relatively rare [ 4 ], with only a handful of cases reported to date. The presenting symptoms are usually chronic knee pain with occasional swelling of a non-traumatic origin in young individuals, which is not intensively investigated and is often treated with analgesics or reassurance, citing over-exertional physical activity as the predisposing cause [ 5 , 6 ]. Patellar tumors are not frequently included in the differentials for anterior knee pain, and this often leads to missing these tumors in the early stages [ 7 ].…”