Aneurysmal bone cysts of the spine

Summary Aneurysmal bone cysts of the spine are uncommon. In the English language literature, there have been less than one hundred reported cases. We present five examples, all of which arose in a vertebral body. One case is the first reported arising from the coccyx; one presented at the sixth thoracic vertebral body with complete paraplegia and two with extremely large abdominal masses and catastrophic bleeding during attempted open biopsy. All were resected by a one-stage anterior or combined anterior-posterior approach. Two cases were treated with preoperative irradiation because of profuse, life-threatening bleeding during biopsy, and 4 weeks later complete anterior excision was carried out without difficulty.

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Résumé Les kystes anévrysmaux du rachis ne sont pas fréquents. Il y en a moins de cent rapportés dans la littérature de langue anglaise. Nous en présentons ici 5 cas, tous localisés au niveau d'une vertèbre. L'un d'entre eux est le premier cas publié atteignant le coccyx, un autre était situé sur la sixième vertèbre dorsale entraînant une paraplégie complète et deux déterminaient une volumineuse tuméfaction abdominale qui entraîna, lors de la biopsie, une très abondante hémorragie. Tous furent réséqués en un temps par voie antérieure ou par voie combinée, antérieure et postérieure. Une irradiation pré-opératoire fut effectuée dans deux cas en raison du saignement profus, mettant la vie en danger, survenu durant la biopsie. Quatre semaines plus tard une excision complète par voie antérieure put être réalisée sans difficulté.

     

Aneurysmal bone cysts of the spine

Purpose

Aneurysmal bone cyst is a benign, relatively uncommon lesion, representing 1.4 % of primary bone tumors. The vertebral column is involved in 3–30 % of cases. This report describes clinical characteristics and treatment results of 18 patients with aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine.

Methods

Between 1991 and 2008, 18 patients with aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine were surgically treated in our department. The clinical records, radiographs, histologic sections, and operative reports were analyzed.

Results

There were 11 male and 7 female patients; mean age was 22.1 years (range 7–46 years). Localizations were cervical (3), cervicothoracic (2), thoracic (3), lumbar (4), and sacrum (6). Tumor was localized on the left side in 11 cases, on the right side in 2 and at midline in 5 patients. The two most common clinical features were axial pain (14 patients) and radicular pain (8 patients). Neurological signs were paraparesis in 3, monoparesis in 6. Mean duration of symptoms was 9 months (range 3 months–3 years). All patients underwent surgery: total removal was performed in 13 patients and subtotal resection in 5. Posterior (11), anterolateral (1), or combined anterior-posterior (6) approaches were used. Mean follow-up duration was 112.3 months (range 4–21 years). We detected four recurrences in subtotal excision group (4/5), and one recurrence in total excision group (1/13).

Conclusion

Treatment options for aneurysmal bone cysts are simple curettage with or without bone grafting, complete excision, embolization, radiation therapy, or a combination of these modalities. Radical surgical excision should be the goal of surgery to decrease the recurrence rate. Recurrence rate is significantly lower in case of total excision.     

Aneurysmal bone cysts of the spine

The article reviews aneurysmal bone cysts of the spine and current diagnostic tests approaches and therapeutic interventions are discussed.     

Aneurysmal bone cysts of the dorsal spine

Summary Aneurysmal bone cyst is an uncommon but interesting condition, more so when it involves the vertebrae. Three cases of aneurysmal bone cysts of the dorsal spine, suspected on clinicoradiological findings and confirmed by histopathology, are reported in this paper. The authors believe that when the disease affects the pedicles or transverse processes of a vertebra, the plain roentgenographic findings are quite typical of the disease, and a confident radiological diagnosis is possible in the majority of cases.

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Zusammenfassung Die aneurysmatische Knochenzyste ist eine seltene, aber interessante Läsion, besonders wenn sie an der Wirbelsäule lokalisiert ist. Es werden 3 Fälle einer aneurysmatischen Knochenzyste an der Brustwirbelsäule beschrieben, die bereits aufgrund der klinisch radiologischen Befunde diagnostiziert werden konnten und dann histopathologisch bestätigt wurden. Die Autoren sind der Ansicht, daß beim Befall der Bögen oder Querfortsätze des Wirbels im normalen Röntgenbild ein typischer Befund für die Erkrankung besteht und in der Mehrzahl der Fälle eine zuverlässige röntgenologische Diagnose möglich ist.

     

Aneurysmal bone cysts of the spine. Report of 17 cases

Seventeen cases of aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine are reported. Clinical manifestations, methods of investigation, differential diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis are discussed. The condition is essentially a benign lesion, affects a young age group, and grows rapidly, often producing a paravertebral mass. Occasionally it becomes acutely exacerbated, causing irreversible damage to the spinal cord. For these reasons, prompt diagnosis and timely treatment are important. Excision of the lesion is the treatment of choice but, if not feasible, thorough curettage and radiotherapy not exceeding 2000 rads are indicated. With a two-stage operation, excision of the lesion is often possible, and the stability of the vertebral column is assured with bone-graft fusions.     

Aneurysmal bone cysts of the occipital bone

Two cases of aneurysmal bone cysts are reported. Each patient presented with a palpable mass in the occipital region and signs of compression of structures in the posterior fossa. One of the cases is unique, in that the aneurysmal bone cyst was associated with an epidural hematoma in the posterior fossa. The pertinent literature is reviewed.     

Aneurysmal bone cysts of the sacrum

BACKGROUND: Aneurysmal bone cysts, first described by Jaffe and Lichtenstein in 1942, are benign lesions that may easily be mistaken for a malignant tumor both radiographically and pathologically. These diagnostic problems are due to their rapid growth, extensive destruction of bone, wide extraosseous tumor masses, and marked cellular exuberance. The differential diagnosis of aneurysmal bone cysts including giant cell tumor, calcified solitary bone cysts, low-grade osteosarcoma, and teleangiectatic osteosarcoma becomes even more complicated when the lesion arises at sites other than the long bones and presents with extensive extraosseous, soft-tissue tumor masses. The latter cases--especially when they occur as sacral or presacral tumors--present challenges with respect to successful treatment, which should combine surgical removal of the entire lesion following oncological criteria to prevent recurrences and osteosynthesis to guarantee the biomechanical stability of the spinal-pelvic junction. Here we report on the clinical case of a female patient with an aneurysmal bone cyst of the sacrum and extensive extraosseous tumor masses. The report includes the diagnostic challenges, the surgical options of sacral and/or presacral tumors, the histopathological findings, and long-term clinical and radiographic surveillance. METHODS: The patient was treated by a combination of preoperative adjuvant selective arterial embolization, radical surgical excision through an anterior approach followed by subsequent osteosynthesis and stabilization through a posterior approach. RESULTS: Clinical and radiographic follow-up for 2 years was uneventful, and the patient is still free of recurrence or any complaints. CONCLUSION: The current report documents the diagnostic and surgical challenge of a gigantic aneurysmal bone cyst of the sacrum and its successful management.     

Aneurysmal bone cysts of the pelvis

Summary Twenty-three cases of pelvic aneurysmal bone cysts treated at the Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli were rewieved after a mean follow-up of 7 years. Eighteen cysts involved the anterior arch, four extended into the iliac wing and the anterior arch, and one invaded the entire hemipelvis. The acetabulum was involved in 56.5% of the cases. Fourteen patients were treated with surgery (curettage 11; resection 3), and five with radiation therapy; two patients had both modalities; two additional patients refused any treatment after biopsy. The overall recurrence rate was 13% (one case after curettage, one after radiation therapy, and one after combined treatment). Significant complications affected the final functional result in four of seven patients who received radiation therapy, while only one minor complication was seen in the surgical group.     

Aneurysmal bone cysts of the pelvis

Twenty-three cases of pelvic aneurysmal bone cysts treated at the Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli were reviewed after a mean follow-up of 7 years. Eighteen cysts involved the anterior arch, four extended into the iliac wing and the anterior arch, and one invaded the entire hemipelvis. The acetabulum was involved in 56.5% of the cases. Fourteen patients were treated with surgery (curettage 11; resection 3), and five with radiation therapy; two patients had both modalities; two additional patients refused any treatment after biopsy. The overall recurrence rate was 13% (one case after curettage, one after radiation therapy, and one after combined treatment). Significant complications affected the final functional result in four of seven patients who received radiation therapy, while only one minor complication was seen in the surgical group.     

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine

The cases of twenty-two patients with an aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine above the sacrum were analyzed with regard to sex, age, site, symptoms, and radiographic findings. Four patients had extension of the lesion to the adjacent vertebra or rib, and twelve patients had neurological deficits. The primary treatment was either radiotherapy or surgery alone, or surgery and radiotherapy combined. No recurrences were found in patients who were treated with surgery alone or with surgery and radiotherapy, while three of the six patients who were treated with radiotherapy had a local recurrence, two of which were fatal. The patients with neurological deficits recovered after healing of the cyst.     

Aneurysmal bone cysts of the spine report of 7 cases treated by surgery only

Summary Aneurysmal bone cyst is a well-assessed pathological entity. The clinical and radiological features have been defined but treatment — surgery, radiotherapy or both — is an open question. We report 7 cases of aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine treated by surgery only. The long-term outcome is excellent in 6 cases from 3 to 14 years after operation, and the seventh, operated on 4 months ago, is now symptom-free. In view of these results and of the hazards of radiotherapy, we consider that this essentially benign lesion should receive surgical treatment only.

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Zusammenfassung Aneurysmatische Knochenzysten sind eine wohl umschriebene pathologische Einheit. Zwar sind die klinischen und radiologischen Symptome gut gesichert, aber die Behandlung (Chirurgie, Röntgentherapie) bleibt noch eine offene Frage. Bericht über 7 Fälle von aneurysmatischen Knochenzysten des Wirbels, die nur chirurgisch behandelt wurden. In 6 Fällen war der postoperative Verlauf 3-14 Jahre lang ausgezeichnet, der letzte wurde erst vor 4 Monaten operiert, es geht ihm gut. Unter Berücksichtigung dieser Ergebnisse und der noch nicht zwischenfallsfreien Röntgentherapie glauben wir, man sollte diese gutartige Läsion nur chirurgisch behandeln.

     

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine

Summary Long term follow up of three patients with aneurysmal bone cysts has allowed us to draw attention to features which facilitate diagnosis and determine adequate treatment. The lesion occurs usually under the age of twenty with a slight female predominance. Treatment consists in complete local excision. Failing this, curettage should be carried out, and this gives good results. The effectiveness of radiotherapy cannot be assessed from our series, but in our opinion it may not be necessary in every case and shoud be applied judiciously, as postradiation sarcomas have been reported. Special attention must be paid to the tendency for spontaneous regression and cure after incomplete removal, particularly in recurrent cases, with a view to avoiding more aggressive treatment than is necessary. Multi-location (vertebra and distant bone), endothelial proliferation, and obliteration of the lumen of the small blood vessels support the view that this is a vascular lesion.     

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine. Case report

The aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a fast-growing tumor of undefined neoplastic nature. It is occasionally an aggressive benign lesion whose treatment of choice is a complete resection, even though the risk of profuse transoperative bleeding exists. We present a female patient with thoracic spine deformity, with progressive paresthesias and muscle weakness of lower extremities that evolved to paralysis of both lower extremities and sphincter incontinence. Based on radiographic films, lytic lesions were identified at T7 to T9 vertebrae as well as medullary space invasion. In electrophysiologic tests, a complete somatosensorial pathway block was reported. Prior to resection of the neoplastic lesion and thoracolumbar stabilization, an incisional biopsy was performed. There was no postoperative medullary functional improvement. Morphological findings corresponded to an aneurysmal bone cyst at T8. This lesion is mainly located in the long bones and less frequently of the spine, where instability and medullary compression may occur. It is possible to confuse this neoplasia with other lesions. Hence, definite diagnosis with biopsy is necessary for determining an adequate therapeutic plan to eradicate recurrence risk or associated neurologic sequelae, as well as to gain proper stability at the involved vertebral segments.     

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine with familial incidence

STUDY DESIGN: A report of two cases of aneurysmal bone cysts of the spine occurring in a father and daughter. OBJECTIVE: To present an unusual finding of familial incidence of aneurysmal bone cyst and review the literature. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Aneurysmal bone cysts are benign, expanding, locally aggressive lesions. Up to 20% of cases involve the spine. The cause of primary aneurysmal bone cysts remains unclear. There have been three previous reports of a familial incidence supporting the importance of a hereditary component in the cause of aneurysmal bone cysts. METHODS: A 36-year-old man and a 7-year-old girl were diagnosed with aneurysmal bone cyst involving the spine by clinical manifestations, radiographic features, and histologic evaluation. RESULTS: The father remains recurrence- and symptom-free 6 years after primary resection. Five months after surgery, the daughter was found to have recurrent disease by magnetic resonance imaging and underwent a second procedure within 1 year of the primary resection. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of a primary aneurysmal bone cyst in two family members, occurring at adjacent vertebral levels, is suggestive of a hereditary component to the formation of primary aneurysmal bone cyst.