Rare Coexistence of Giant Cell Tumor and Tuberculosis of the Metatarsal

The coexistence of giant cell tumor (GCT) and metatarsal bone tuberculosis (TB) of the foot has not been reported in the literature so far. We report a case of a 25-year-old male who presented with severe pain and swelling of his left foot for two months, which was aggravated on walking. A plain radiograph of the left foot showed an expansile eccentric lytic lesion of the base of the second metatarsal. He underwent extended curettage and antibiotic cement spacer insertion. Biopsy of the lesion revealed the presence of GCT, while tissue cultures were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. He was treated with standard anti-tubercular treatment (ATT), four drug regimens for twelve months. He then underwent reconstruction of the second metatarsal with cement spacer exit and iliac crest bone grafting, following which the cultures were negative for TB. The diagnosis of this unexpected and unique combination of pathologies (GCT and TB) depends on a high index of clinical suspicion, relevant investigations, and accurate histological diagnosis.