A Rare Case Report of Giant Cell Tumor in the Distal Tibia: Management with Tumor Excision and Limb Reconstruction with Ilizarov Fixator

Introduction: Giant cell tumor (GCT) is a benign, locally aggressive neoplasm commonly affecting the ends of long bones. Treatment varies based on tumor stage and includes curettage, bone grafting, resection, wide excision, prosthetic reconstruction, radiation, and embolization. This case report pre...

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Main Authors: V Harish Arvind, K Tarun Prashanth, M R Thirunthaiyan, R Dorai Kumar, B Sundararaja
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Indian Orthopaedic Research Group 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports
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Online Access:https://jocr.co.in/wp/2025/07/01/a-rare-case-report-of-giant-cell-tumor-in-the-distal-tibia-management-with-tumor-excision-and-limb-reconstruction-with-ilizarov-fixator/
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author V Harish Arvind
K Tarun Prashanth
M R Thirunthaiyan
R Dorai Kumar
B Sundararaja
author_facet V Harish Arvind
K Tarun Prashanth
M R Thirunthaiyan
R Dorai Kumar
B Sundararaja
author_sort V Harish Arvind
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Giant cell tumor (GCT) is a benign, locally aggressive neoplasm commonly affecting the ends of long bones. Treatment varies based on tumor stage and includes curettage, bone grafting, resection, wide excision, prosthetic reconstruction, radiation, and embolization. This case report presents a rare GCT of the distal tibia managed with wide excision and reconstruction with an Ilizarov ring fixator. Case Report: A 36-year-old male presented with progressively enlarging right ankle swelling for 3 months, accompanied by dull, diffuse pain aggravated by weight-bearing. He reported significant weight loss over 6 months but no history of trauma. Radiographs confirmed the diagnosis and higher investigations were done to stage the disease. After a multidisciplinary discussion with surgical oncology, he underwent wide excision and bone transport using an Ilizarov ring fixator. Results: The case was managed with the above-mentioned procedure, distraction was done for a period of 90 days, and the frame was removed after union at the docking site. Post-removal radiographs were done to confirm union at the distraction site and docking site. The patient gradually started weight-bearing in the limb. Conclusion: Periarticular long bone tumors can be managed effectively with resection and bone transport. Although it has a few disadvantages, such as the long duration of external fixator and pin tract infections, it remains a reliable option for limb reconstruction, offering cost-effectiveness and proven long-term success.
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spelling doaj-art-be41774f41a64f93bc9efe547f64d9e92025-08-20T03:04:49ZengIndian Orthopaedic Research GroupJournal of Orthopaedic Case Reports2250-06852321-38172025-07-0115711111510.13107/jocr.2025.v15.i07.5788A Rare Case Report of Giant Cell Tumor in the Distal Tibia: Management with Tumor Excision and Limb Reconstruction with Ilizarov FixatorV Harish ArvindK Tarun PrashanthM R ThirunthaiyanR Dorai KumarB SundararajaIntroduction: Giant cell tumor (GCT) is a benign, locally aggressive neoplasm commonly affecting the ends of long bones. Treatment varies based on tumor stage and includes curettage, bone grafting, resection, wide excision, prosthetic reconstruction, radiation, and embolization. This case report presents a rare GCT of the distal tibia managed with wide excision and reconstruction with an Ilizarov ring fixator. Case Report: A 36-year-old male presented with progressively enlarging right ankle swelling for 3 months, accompanied by dull, diffuse pain aggravated by weight-bearing. He reported significant weight loss over 6 months but no history of trauma. Radiographs confirmed the diagnosis and higher investigations were done to stage the disease. After a multidisciplinary discussion with surgical oncology, he underwent wide excision and bone transport using an Ilizarov ring fixator. Results: The case was managed with the above-mentioned procedure, distraction was done for a period of 90 days, and the frame was removed after union at the docking site. Post-removal radiographs were done to confirm union at the distraction site and docking site. The patient gradually started weight-bearing in the limb. Conclusion: Periarticular long bone tumors can be managed effectively with resection and bone transport. Although it has a few disadvantages, such as the long duration of external fixator and pin tract infections, it remains a reliable option for limb reconstruction, offering cost-effectiveness and proven long-term success.https://jocr.co.in/wp/2025/07/01/a-rare-case-report-of-giant-cell-tumor-in-the-distal-tibia-management-with-tumor-excision-and-limb-reconstruction-with-ilizarov-fixator/giant cell tumordistal tibiailizarovbone transportlimb reconstruction
spellingShingle V Harish Arvind
K Tarun Prashanth
M R Thirunthaiyan
R Dorai Kumar
B Sundararaja
A Rare Case Report of Giant Cell Tumor in the Distal Tibia: Management with Tumor Excision and Limb Reconstruction with Ilizarov Fixator
Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports
giant cell tumor
distal tibia
ilizarov
bone transport
limb reconstruction
title A Rare Case Report of Giant Cell Tumor in the Distal Tibia: Management with Tumor Excision and Limb Reconstruction with Ilizarov Fixator
title_full A Rare Case Report of Giant Cell Tumor in the Distal Tibia: Management with Tumor Excision and Limb Reconstruction with Ilizarov Fixator
title_fullStr A Rare Case Report of Giant Cell Tumor in the Distal Tibia: Management with Tumor Excision and Limb Reconstruction with Ilizarov Fixator
title_full_unstemmed A Rare Case Report of Giant Cell Tumor in the Distal Tibia: Management with Tumor Excision and Limb Reconstruction with Ilizarov Fixator
title_short A Rare Case Report of Giant Cell Tumor in the Distal Tibia: Management with Tumor Excision and Limb Reconstruction with Ilizarov Fixator
title_sort rare case report of giant cell tumor in the distal tibia management with tumor excision and limb reconstruction with ilizarov fixator
topic giant cell tumor
distal tibia
ilizarov
bone transport
limb reconstruction
url https://jocr.co.in/wp/2025/07/01/a-rare-case-report-of-giant-cell-tumor-in-the-distal-tibia-management-with-tumor-excision-and-limb-reconstruction-with-ilizarov-fixator/
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