Pediatric Giant Cell Tumor

  • Etiology:
  • Imaging:
    — Location: Epiphysis, abut articular surface, only occurs with closed growth plate
    — Lytic or blastic: Lytic with non-sclerotic margin
    — Matrix:
    — Zone of transition: Narrow
    — Periosteal new bone or cortical destruction:
    — Additionally:
  • DDX: Lucent bone lesions that extend to epiphysis are chondroblastoma, chondrosarcoma, giant cell tumor, osteomyelitis
  • Complications:
  • Treatment: Surgical
  • Clinical:

Radiology Cases of Giant Cell Tumor

Radiograph of giant cell tumor of femur
AP radiograph of the knee shows growth plate fusion and a metaphyseal lesion that is lytic and expansile in appearance with a narrow zone of transition and no associated periosteal reaction.