Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Distal Femoral Metaphysis in a Three-Year-Old Male Patient Presenting With a Pathologic Fracture: A Case Report

This case report discusses the management of a three-year-old male presenting with a pathological fracture of the distal femur due to an aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC). Due to diagnostic uncertainty and limited resources, the treatment involved an en bloc resection followed by the Masquelet technique with a fibular and cancellous graft. While this approach successfully reconstructed the bone defect, the patient developed a progressive valgus deformity and limb length discrepancy, likely due to physeal damage from the resection rather than the reconstruction technique itself. This case highlights the challenges of balancing recurrence risk, functional outcomes, and resource limitations in pediatric ABC treatment. A more physeal-sparing approach, such as curettage with bone grafting, might have mitigated complications while preserving long-term limb function.

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Journal
Cureus
Published
2025-03-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.80903
Primary Topic
Bone Tumor Diagnosis and Treatments
Type
article
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0.00
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article

Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Distal Femoral Metaphysis in a Three-Year-Old Male Patient Presenting With a Pathologic Fracture: A Case Report

Ghislain Aminake, Henry Ndasi, Xavier Penda, Serge Tima
Cureus
Bone Tumor Diagnosis and Treatments
article

Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Distal Femoral Metaphysis in a Three-Year-Old Male Patient Presenting With a Pathologic Fracture: A Case Report

Ghislain Aminake, Henry Ndasi, Xavier Penda, Serge Tima
article en

Abstract

This case report discusses the management of a three-year-old male presenting with a pathological fracture of the distal femur due to an aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC). Due to diagnostic uncertainty and limited resources, the treatment involved an en bloc resection followed by the Masquelet technique with a fibular and cancellous graft. While this approach successfully reconstructed the bone defect, the patient developed a progressive valgus deformity and limb length discrepancy, likely due to physeal damage from the resection rather than the reconstruction technique itself. This case highlights the challenges of balancing recurrence risk, functional outcomes, and resource limitations in pediatric ABC treatment. A more physeal-sparing approach, such as curettage with bone grafting, might have mitigated complications while preserving long-term limb function.

CureusVol. 17(3)
Baptist Hospital (KR)
Gender equality
Openalex Percentile: Top 92%
Bone Tumor Diagnosis and Treatments
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