Presentation and Outcome of Primary Tumors of the Patella

Abstract

Demographics, pathology, and outcomes of 7 patellar tumors, including 2 giant cell tumors, 2 chondroblastomas, 1 osteoid osteoma, 1 osteitis fibrosa cystica, and 1 case of myelomatous infiltration, are described. Five male and 2 female patients with a mean age of 42.5 years were followed for an average of 3.5 years. Anterior knee pain was the main presenting symptom. Two patients presented with pathologic fracture. One patient with chondroblastoma underwent curettage only; the second patient underwent curettage and bone grafting. Both patients with giant cell tumors underwent total patellectomy. Patients with osteoblastoma and osteitis fibrosa cystica underwent excision of the lesion. The patient with myeloma underwent radiotherapy. Patellar tumors represent special management problems because of their subcutaneous location, relationship to the extensor mechanism, and difficulties in interpretation of radiographs. A satisfactory outcome can be expected in the majority because of the predominantly benign nature of the lesions and straightforward operative intervention after diagnosis.[J Knee Surg. 2008;21:212-216.]

Chondroblastoma of the Patella With Aneurysmal Bone Cyst

“…Only a few studies have reported these lesions, and most are case reports. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] The most frequent tumors in this location are giant cell tumor, chondroblastoma, and aneurysmal bone cyst. 7,8 Chondroblastoma accounts for 1% to 3% of all primary benign bone tumors and 22% of benign bone tumors in the patella.…”

Ewings sarcoma of patella: A rare entity treated with a novel technique of extensor mechanism reconstruction using tendoachilles auto graft

“…Chondroblastomas and giant cell tumors form the most common tumors of the patella [12][13][14] . This is probably due to the similarity in the ossification of the patella with that of the epiphysis of long bones [11] . There are reports of tumors like osteoid osteoma, osteoblastoma, spindle cell sarcoma, osteitisfibrosacystica, aneurysmal bone cyst and myelomatous infiltration arising from the patella [15][16][17][18][19][20] .…”

“…However, documentation of ES of patella in the English medical literature is lacking. Chronic anterior knee pain is the most common presenting feature in patients with patellar tumors [11] . The prognosis for patellar tumors is good even though most of the cases appear late, as majority of the tumors are benign [11] .…”

“…Chronic anterior knee pain is the most common presenting feature in patients with patellar tumors [11] . The prognosis for patellar tumors is good even though most of the cases appear late, as majority of the tumors are benign [11] . The outcome following a malignant tumor of the patella and the need of an immediate surgical intervention remain unanswered due to lack of adequate literature.…”

“…Information available in the literature is largely in the form of isolated case reports and small case studies because of the rarity of patellar tumors [9,10] . Epiphysial tumors such as giant cell tumors and chondroblastomas are more common in the patella [11] . Christensen hypothesized that the immunity of patella to bone tumors is due to the absence of loss of growth restraint incident to active diaphysial growth and pressure epiphysis [5,6] .…”