Distraction arthroplasty combined with autologous bone grafting for diffuse-type tenosynovial giant cell tumour with articular cartilage defect and subchondral bone cysts: A case report

Abstract

ABSTRACT Tenosynovial giant cell tumour (TGCT) encompasses a group of lesions that present with synovial differentiation and most commonly occur in the joint synovium, bursae, and tendon sheaths. Diffuse-type TGCT (Dt-TGCT), previously known as pigmented villonodular synovitis, is one of the most common benign soft-tissue tumours of the foot and ankle and usually affects young adults. The differential diagnosis of Dt-TGCTs remains a clinical problem because their clinical symptoms are similar to those of inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, persistent Dt-TGCTs can lead to articular deterioration, including osseous erosions and subchondral bone cysts. Joint-preserving procedures are considered optimal for treating younger patients with ankle osteoarthritis because the indication of ankle arthrodesis and total ankle arthroplasty is limited. Thus, ankle distraction arthroplasty could be an alternative for treating Dt-TGCT with articular deterioration in young patients. Here, we report about a woman in her early 30s who presented with ankle pain owing to a Dt-TGCT with an articular cartilage defect and subchondral bone cysts. We performed ankle distraction arthroplasty combined with an autologous bone graft. A follow-up examination at 2 years revealed preservation of physical function and pain alleviation. These findings suggest that distraction arthroplasty is a viable treatment option for remedying the destruction of the articular cartilage and subchondral bone owing to Dt-TGCTs in young adults.