Patellar giant cell tumour: Presentation of a case and a review of the literature

Abstract Patellar tumours are rare. They typically appear in young patients, and present with a non-specific pain in the knee. Giant cell tumours (GCT) are benign, but locally aggressive. Although they are usually found around the knee (40–60%), those affecting the patella have been classically described in the literature as uncommon. We describe the case of a 19-year-old male complaining of pain in his knee, whose clinical examination suggested a meniscal tear. Plain radiological examination, as well as MRI, revealed a well-circumscribed lytic lesion within the patella. The patient underwent arthroscopic surgery, during which an incisional biopsy was performed. Following pathology reports, which confirmed the suspected GCT, definitive surgery was performed. At 56 months after the surgery the patient remains asymptomatic and free of disease.