Navigation-assisted surgery for chondroblastoma arising in the femoral head: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Surgery for chondroblastoma in the femoral head is challenging due to its inaccessibility, with high risk of local recurrence and poor functional outcomes reported. We herein report the first case of chondroblastoma in the femoral head treated by navigation-assisted surgery. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 12-year-old girl presented with persistent left hip pain and limited hip range of motion. Imaging studies revealed a well-defined osteolytic lesion in the left femoral head accompanied by extensive intra-osseous oedematous change. The bone lesion was radiologically diagnosed as chondroblastoma. With navigation assistance, curettage was performed via the anterior approach. The tumor was fully accessible from the femoral neck. After curettage, the bony defect was filled with bone substitute. The pathological diagnosis was chondroblastoma. The post-operative course was uneventful. Thirty months postoperatively, the patient was free of pain with full hip range of motion, and MR images showed no evidence of recurrence or osteonecrosis. DISCUSSION: This case is the first to use a navigation system for the treatment of chondroblastoma in the femoral head. The navigation system can minimize damage to intact structures and increase the efficiency of curettage by visualizing access to the tumor. CONCLUSION: Navigation assistance is an optimal surgical option for chondroblastoma in the femoral head.