Rare case of Giant Cell Tumor as Cause of Loose Bodies in Knee Joint– A Report

Written by Dr Supreeth D R Published On 2024-12-22T21:15:56+05:30 | Updated On 22 Dec 2024 9:16 PM IST

Rare case of Giant Cell Tumor as Cause of Loose Bodies in Knee Joint– A Report

Ravi Mittal et al reported the case of an unusual cause of loose body in the knee joint of a 35-year-old male who reported for follow-up 3 years after the surgical management of giant cell tumor (GCT) of the distal femur. The case report has been published in ‘Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports.’

Loose bodies in the knee joint are relatively common, and when freely mobile (unstable), they are prone to get entrapped between the articular surfaces causing intermittent joint locking, limitation of motion, pain, intra-articular effusion, and erosion of articular cartilage. The common causes of loose bodies in the knee joint taking into account the disease frequency include transchondral fractures, synovial chondromatosis, osteochondritis dissecans, and meniscal injury. Osteoarthritis is a common cause of loose bodies in the old age.

Although GCT commonly involves the subchondral bone intra-articular extension of GCT remains exceptional, even in cases with pathologic fracture, extended curettage and void filling with bone graft or acrylic cement is the standard treatment and is associated with a local recurrence rate of 10–20%.

The patient had symptoms of loose bodies in the joint without any complaint specific to the operative site. Imaging revealed loose bodies within the joint which were removed arthroscopically. Histopathology showed the loose bodies as GCT. The patient had relief of symptoms after removal and the patient has no evidence of recurrence at the primary site or in the knee joint.

The authors concluded - “GCTs should be considered a cause of loose bodies in the joint when there is a neighbouring bone affected by GCT and all such loose bodies removed should undergo histopathological examination.”

The authors opined – “Loose bodies in the knee joint are relatively common. Neoplastic growths from synovium have been reported to have presentations mimicking loose bodies or meniscus tears and even neoplastic growths of the neighbouring bones should be included in the differentials and all such loose bodies should undergo histopathology.”

MBBS, Dip. Ortho, DNB ortho, MNAMS

Dr Supreeth D R (MBBS, Dip. Ortho, DNB ortho, MNAMS) is a practicing orthopedician with interest in medical research and publishing articles. He completed MBBS from mysore medical college, dip ortho from Trivandrum medical college and sec. DNB from Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru. He has expirence of 7years in the field of orthopedics. He has presented scientific papers & posters in various state, national and international conferences. His interest in writing articles lead the way to join medical dialogues. He can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.