Management of Giant Cell Tumor of Distal Radius-Does Curettage Work?

Giant cell tumor affecting distal radius has been considered more aggressive, as compared to its counterparts in other locations. While resection has been advocated as the treatment of choice with lower rates of recurrence, curettage has reportedly led to superior functional outcomes. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the functional and oncological outcomes of patients managed for GCT distal radius by either extended intralesional curettage (EIC) or resection and arthrodesis with radialisation of ulna (RRU), with respect to rates of local recurrence and function. Twenty-four patients operated for giant cell tumor of distal radius by a single surgeon from 2011 to 2021, were included in the study. The demographic, clinico-radiological, and surgical details were recorded and analyzed, as were the functional and oncological outcomes. At a median (IQR) follow-up of 6.3 years (range 2 years to 15.9 years), the rate of recurrence in curettage was found to be higher than that in resection but was not statistically significant (35.7% vs 20%,  > 0.05). Patients managed elsewhere and then presented to us for recurrence had a higher rate of local recurrence (66.6%,  = 0.01). Average time to recurrence was 14 months (range 2-24 months). On final follow-up, patients in curettage group had better functional outcomes in terms of grip strength and range of motion. Mean Modified Mayo Wrist score and MSTS score were 78.2 and 25.63, respectively, for EIC group and 69.6 and 25.75, respectively, for RRU group. Extended intralesional curettage resulted in an earlier rehabilitation with a mobile wrist and acceptable disease control when compared with resection and arthrodesis with radialisation of ulna.