Early radiologic detection of local recurrence after curettage and acrylic cementation of giant cell tumours.

Five patients with giant cell tumour of bone, treated with curettage and acrylic cementation, were suspected of having recurrence of tumour 6 months-6 years after surgery. At repeat surgery, recurrence was histologically verified in three patients, and excluded in two. A review of the radiologic examinations of these patients showed that the only reliable sign of early recurrence was lysis or non-development of the sclerotic rim adjacent to the radiolucent zone between the cement and the cancellous bone, detectable on conventional radiographs and tomographs. Angiography and scintimetry were not reliable during the first year after the primary surgery.