Abstract
Objective Extended curettage with adjuvants of giant cell tumors of bone is associated with
a lower rate of recurrence of the tumor while preserving the adjacent joint. The present
study was conducted to estimate the recurrence rate and functional outcome after using
argon beam as an adjuvant for extended curettage.
Methods We selected 50 patients with giant cell tumors, meeting all the inclusion criteria,
who underwent extended curettage using high speed burr and argon beam photocoagulation
between July 2016 to January 2019. On their follow-up visit, they were assessed for
any complaints of pain and signs like tenderness, locally raised temperature, and
decreased range of motion of the adjacent joint. Radiologically, the patients were
assessed for any increased lucency around the cement mantle and uptake of the subarticular
graft. Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score (MSTS) was administered to the patients,
and range of motion of the adjacent joint was compared with the contralateral joint.
Results Recurrence was found in 4 patients, that is, an 8% recurrence rate. Twenty-six out
of 28 patients with a tumor in the lower limb had a grade-5 weight bearing status
6 months from the surgery, and their range of motion was comparable to contralateral
healthy joint with an average MSTS score of 27 (18–30).
Conclusion Extended curettage of giant cell tumors using argon beam coagulation is associated
with low recurrence rates of the tumor and is an effective modality in the treatment
of these tumors besides having a functional outcome comparable to the healthy limb.
Keywords
argon plasma coagulation - giant cell tumor of bone - bone neoplasms - chemoradiotherapy,
adjuvant - orthopedics
