O3244: Surgical Intervention of Chondroblastoma in Pediatric Patients May Lead to Future Angular Deformity

Background: Chondroblastoma is a rare, benign bone tumor that comprises approximately 5% of all benign bone tumors and 1% to 2% of all primary bone tumors. These tumors are known to have a predilection for the epiphyses of long bones in skeletally immature patients, with surgical management being the preferred treatment modality. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the clinical outcomes and recurrence rate of surgically managed chondroblastoma of the extremities.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed at a tertiary pediatric hospital between 2004 and 2019. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients treated surgically for pathologically confirmed chondroblastoma with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up. Patients with initial treatment at the institution for a recurrent tumor or with incomplete records were excluded. Electronic medical records were used to collect patient demographics, location of the lesion, treatment technique, incidence of recurrence, and presence of deformity. Statistical analyses were performed through STATA and Microsoft Excel.

Results: Thirty-three patients met inclusion criteria with a mean age of 13.82 ± 2.08 years (range 9-18) and mean follow-up of 2.15 ± 1.13 years. The cohort consisted of 25 males and 8 females. The tumors were most commonly located in the femur (15, 45.5%). Recurrence was found in 3 (9.1%) individuals, and angular deformity developed in 5 (15.2%). Mean tumor size was 2.8 ± 1.4 cm. There was no significant correlation between age and recurrence (p = 0.616) and tumor size and recurrence (p = 0.247).

Conclusion: With a recurrence rate of 9% and a deformity rate of 9.1%, our results are consistent with previous literature. All studied adjuvants appear equally effective although potentially underpowered to detect a difference. Importantly, this study identified the development of angular deformities in 15% of patients, with each patient requiring subsequent treatment. Thus, it may be important for physicians to consider these findings when determining patient follow-up and counseling families on long-term outcomes during treatment of chondroblastomas.