title: An aggressive chondroblastoma of the knee treated with resection arthrodesis and limb lengthening using the Ilizarov technique.
abstract: This case report describes the management of a 15 year old male with a biologically aggressive chondroblastoma of the knee. Following CT, bone scan, angiography and an open biopsy, the diagnosis was confirmed histologically and immunohistochemically. The patient underwent a 13 cm en-bloc excision of the knee, and knee arthrodesis with simultaneous bone transport using an Ilizarov ring fixator. Following 136 days of bone transport, the patient achieved radiological and clinical bony union after a total frame time of 372 days. He then commenced 50% partial weight-bear in a protective knee brace and gradually worked up to full weight-bearing by 4 months. The patient developed superficial pin tract infections around the k-wires on 2 occasions; these settled with a cephalosporin antibiotic spray and local dressings. At 13 years follow-up there are no signs of disease recurrence or failure at the fusion site. The patient is able to fully weight bear and stand independently on the operated leg. Knee arthrodesis with simultaneous limb-lengthening is an effective treatment modality following en-bloc resection of an aggressive chondroblastoma. The case is discussed with reference to the literature.
authors.affiliation: North London Sports Orthopaedics (NLSO), Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, North Middlesex University Hospital, Sterling Way, London N18 1QX, UK. dusch1@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Slavko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tomić
authors.forename: Aleksandar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lesić
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bumbasirević
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sopta
authors.forename: Zoran
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rakocević
authors.forename: Henry D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Atkinson