title: Case report: reconstruction of the distal tibia with porous tantalum spacer after resection for giant cell tumor.
abstract: Treatment options for giant cell tumors of the distal tibia include curettage and cement packing, curettage and bone grafting, or resection and reconstruction for aggressive tumors. Curettage of aggressive tumors often leads to severe bone loss requiring reconstruction. Allograft and autograft may be effective options for reconstruction, but each is associated with drawbacks including the possibility of infection and collapse. We present a case of giant cell tumor of the distal tibia treated with curettage and arthrodesis using a porous tantalum spacer. Complete removal of the tumor and successful arthrodesis of the ankle were accomplished using the spacer. The patient returned to pain-free walking along with eradication of the giant cell tumor. We believe porous tantalum spacers are a reasonable option for reconstructing the distal tibia after curettage of a giant cell tumor with extensive bone loss.
authors.affiliation: Banner Good Samaritan Orthopaedic Residency Program, 1300 N 12th Street, Suite 620, Phoenix, AZ 85006, USA. keconomopoulos@yahoo.com
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Economopoulos
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beauchamp
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Claridge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001175:Arthrography; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003475:Curettage; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D018212:Giant Cell Tumor of Bone / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009983:Orthopedic Equipment; D016062:Porosity; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013635:Tantalum; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013635:Tantalum