Alternative surgical treatment for giant-cell reparative granuloma in the metacarpal, using phenol and ethanol adjuvant therapy

Giant-cell reparative granuloma (GCRG) or a solid variant of an aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is an uncommon benign reactive lesion with a predilection for the small tubular bones of the hands and feet. Treatment usually involves wide resection or amputation because of unacceptable high recurrence rates after curettage. Adjuvant therapy usually is applied to reduce the recurrence of locally aggressive bone tumors. We report 2 cases of GCRG that were treated successfully with curettage, adjuvant phenol and ethanol, and autogenous bone grafting.     

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the second cervical vertebrae causing multilevel upper cervical instability

OBJECTIVE: Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a rare expansile osteolytic lesion of bone comprising proliferating vascular tissue lining blood-filled cystic cavities. ABCs occur most frequently in patients under age 20 and are uncommon after 30 years of age. Three to 20% of cases occur in the spine, and upper cervical involvement is rare. Lesions may grow rapidly and attain considerable size. When involving the spine, ABCs may result in instability and neurologic compromise, making prompt diagnosis and treatment imperative. We present a report of a 6-year-old child with an ABC of the second cervical vertebrae causing atlantoaxial and C2-C3 instability, treated successfully with curettage, decompression, and anterior and posterior arthrodesis with posterior instrumentation. METHODS: The patient underwent a staged procedure consisting of posterior instrumentation from occiput to C4 and curettage of the lesion followed by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion of C2-C4. The diagnosis, surgical treatment, and outcome of the case are described and relevant literature reviewed. RESULTS: The patient sustained no lasting neurologic deficits and was disease-free at 3 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: ABC is a rare but potentially devastating cause of upper cervical spine instability. Prompt detection and treatment with curettage, decompression, and fusion can produce a satisfactory result and prevent spinal cord injury.     

Combined anterior and posterior resection and spinal stabilization for aneurysmal bone cyst

Summary We report on a 19-year-old man with a 6-month history of pain and stiffness in the upper cervical region who proved to have a lytic lesion affecting the anterior and posterior elements of C2-4, causing a severe gibbous deformity at C3. The tumour was excised through a posterior approach, and spinal fusion with instrumentation was performed. Two weeks later, through a rightsided, anteromedial approach, the remaining tumour was excised, and the spine was reconstructed with tricortical iliac bone as a strut graft. The patient was placed in a Minerva jacket for 3 months, during which time a solid fusion was otained. The histological diagnosis was aneurysmal bone cyst. The patient has remained pain free and suffered no recurrence 2 and a half years after surgery. Involvement of several adjacent cervical vertebrae by an aneurysmal bone cyst is rare, and conventional treatment with curettage and bone grafting is most likely to carry a high rate of recurrence and spinal instability. We recommend complete excision of the tumour in a combined staged procedure and instrumentation to prevent recurrence and avoid instability.     

Primary aneurysmal bone cyst of the proximal tibia crossing the open physis

An aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a hyperplastic reactive lesion of unknown etiology consisting of cystic cavities containing blood lined by mesenchymal reactive tissue. It occurs more often in females (2:1), usually before the age of 20 years, and most commonly in long bones [1]. The extension of the primary ABC to the epiphysis after crossing the viable physis is an exceptional finding, and very few such cases have been reported in the literature [2–6]. Although uncommon, ABC can cause severe destruction of long bones in children and young adults. The suggested treatment for such aggressive cases ranges from simple curettage to wide resection and structural reconstruction [7, 8]. Here, we report the follow-up for a 10-year-old girl with large, aggressive ABC of the proximal tibia with transphyseal extension to the epiphysis, which was treated with intralesional excision, curettage and bone grafting.     

High-energy, low-dose radiation therapy for aneurysmal bone cyst. Report of a case

Whereas curettage and bone grafting of aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) are generally accepted, recurrence is not uncommon and surgery is hazardous when the lesion is large and adjacent to the growth plate. High-energy, low-dose radiation in an eight-year-old girl with this lesion of the distal tibia was successful with no recurrence at the three-year follow-up examination. No complications have ensued, and excellent function has been sustained. Further evaluation of this form of radiation treatment is important in similar situations in which surgical excision of ABC may carry high risks.     

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the hand: a report of four cases.

Aneurysmal bone cysts are benign lesions that rarely occur in the bones of the hand. Curettage and bone grafting are the most common treatment modalities performed considering the possible functional loss after total excision. Four cases of aneurysmal bone cyst of the hand were identified. Three out of four cases were treated initially with curettage and bone grafting alone without any other local therapy. One had total excision of the lesion. There were two recurrences in the curettage group. Both were treated with excision and followed up for a minimum of 12 months. Curettage alone was associated with high recurrence rates. Total excision of the lesion was the most successful procedure employed. In view of the high recurrence rates following curettage alone and non-neoplastic nature of the lesion, adjuvant treatment modalities such as cryosurgery, electric cauterisation should be considered for initial treatment of ABC. Resection should be preserved for recurrent cases.     

Unicameral and aneurysmal bone cysts

One hundred and seventy-eight cases of unicameral bone cysts (UBC) treated with curettage and bone grafting were compared to 141 cases treated with cortisone injections. The end results were comparable in the two groups. Local recurrence risk factors in the surgical group were active cyst and previous operations. In the other group they were multilocation of the cyst, active cyst, and size of cyst. A new radiographic classification of aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is proposed in a report of 198 cases of ABC. The treatment of choice in ABC is surgical and the type (curettage, curettage plus phenole or cryosurgery, resection or hemiresection) is selected on the basis of the radiographic aspect and the rate of growth of the cyst. Radiotherapy is only indicated in inoperable ABC cases.     

Aneurysmal bone cysts of the spine

Thirteen patients with aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine (excluding sacral lesions) were retrospectively reviewed. Treatment for aneurysmal bone cysts remains controversial, but surgical resection, irradiation, and embolization are common treatment modalities for those involving the spine. Of 102 patients with aneurysmal bone cysts, 15 had a lesion of the spine, including 2 sacral cases. Of the 13 patients with a lesion of the thoracic or lumbar spine, 9 underwent resection of the lesion, 2 curettage and cementation, and 2 only currettage. Eleven patients underwent segmental arthrodesis with instrumentation after treatment of the primary or recurrent lesion, while 2 patients underwent segmental arthrodesis using autogeneic bone. Nine patients did not develop a local recurrence after resection of the lesion. However, the 2 patients who underwent curettage alone developed local recurrences. None of 4 patients developed recurrences after curettage and cementation. After recurrence, 1 patient underwent additional resection with irradiation, and 1 patient underwent resection alone. At the final follow-up, all lesions were under control. In one patient, lumbar kyphosis developed after segmental arthrodesis with instrumentation, and arthrodesis was performed again. Radical resection of aneurysmal bone cysts of the spine with instrumentation is the optimal method of acquiring a high degree of local control and preventing spinal deformity. Received: 30 April 1998     

脊柱结核手术中的内固定应用及术式选择

目的探讨内固定在脊柱结核手术中应用价值及应用方式.方法对26例患者采用4种不同术式:①后路病灶清除植骨,同期经椎弓根内固定;②前路病灶清除植骨,同期后路经椎弓根内固定;③前路病灶清除植骨,同期前路钢板内固定;④前路病灶清除植骨,同期前路单钉棍系统内固定.结果经过12个月以上的观察,病灶静止,植骨融合,内固定无松动、断裂,后突畸形矫正无丢失.结论彻底清除病灶,合理的使用内固定,能提高脊柱结核的治疗效果.     

Atypical Presentation of Navicular Aneurysmal Bone Cyst in a Symptomatic Pediatric Flatfoot Deformity: A Case Report

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are rare in the foot, accounting for 4% to 6.3% of all ABCs found in the body. Approximately 80% of patients diagnosed with an ABC are in the second decade of life. While benign, pain and deformity are often the presenting symptoms. This report's objective is to describe, to our knowledge, the first reported case of a pediatric navicular ABC in association with pediatric flatfoot deformity that was successfully treated with curettage and bone grafting. An additional goal of the report is to highlight how the diagnosis of these osseous tumors can easily be missed given the overlap in symptoms with pediatric flatfoot deformity. An 11-year-old female presented to clinic with a chief complaint of painful, flatfoot deformity and discomfort to the medial midfoot after walking for more than 2 city blocks. The patient was conservatively treated for pediatric flatfoot deformity at an outside institution and advised that a surgical flatfoot reconstruction would be necessary to relieve her symptomology. On examination, the patient exhibited focal pain to the medial aspect of the navicular. Radiographs revealed an ill-defined, expansile, sclerotic lesion of the navicular, and MRI demonstrated a multicystic lesion filling the navicular, consistent with an ABC. Treatment included curettage and packing with allograft. At 1-year follow-up, the patient is well, with minimal pain and return to full activity without functional limitations. Local recurrence of an aneurysmal bone cyst following curettage and bone grafting is as high as 22% with patient age and lesion size comprising the main risk factors. This report demonstrates successful curettage of an ABC within the navicular and preservation of osseous articulations in a pediatric patient. At 1-year follow-up, the patient had minimal pain with no evidence of recurrence.     

An unusual occurrence of chondromyxoid fibroma with secondary aneurysmal bone cyst in the cervical spine

Background contextChondromyxoid fibroma (CMF) and aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are rare bone tumors and even rarer in the spine. To date, no report has been made of CMF with secondary ABC in the cervical spine.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to describe the diagnosis and surgical treatment of a case of CMF with secondary ABC of C6, a rare occurrence in an uncommon location.Study designThe study design is a case report.MethodsA 27-year-old woman presented with numbness with paresthesias of the right upper extremity. Diagnostic imaging revealed diffuse enlargement of the right C6 lamina extending into the pedicle and medial facet joint. Surgical treatment consisted of complete C6 laminectomy, total resection of the extradural cervical mass, posterior lateral fusion at C5–C7, and posterior segmental instrumentation from C5 to C7. Histopathology was consistent with CMF with secondary ABC.ResultsLaminectomy and instrumented segmental fusion provided an excellent clinical outcome. The instrumented fusion maintained the sagittal balance of the spine and stabilized across a complete facetectomy. The excision will likely avoid recurrence of the lesion.ConclusionsTreatment of CMF and ABC is challenging in the spine because of the proximity to neural structures. Aggressive surgical treatment makes recurrence less likely but creates the risk of spinal instability. Adequate surgical treatment needs to provide spinal stability.     

一期前后联合入路手术治疗胸腰椎脊柱结核

目的探讨胸、腰椎结核的手术治疗方式。方法42例胸、腰椎结核患者，男24例，女18例；年龄为22～73岁，平均38．2岁。其中胸椎结核11例，胸腰段结核14例，L2以下腰椎结核17例。术前采用四至六联正规抗结核治疗至少3周，所有患者均采用后路椎弓根螺钉系统矫形内固定、椎板间植骨（人工骨），同期行前路病灶清除联合自体髂骨植骨术。前路手术切口根据病变节段分别采用经胸腔入路、胸膜外腹膜外入路、经腹膜外肾切口、经腹直肌旁腹膜外切口及腹正中腹膜外入路。平均手术时间为230min，术中平均出血量为550ml。术后继续抗结核治疗，术后4周下地行走。结果所有患者均获得8～46个月随访，平均24．3个月。全部患者植骨融合，腰背痛症状缓解，神经功能明显恢复，复查血沉及CRP均正常。结论对于非手术治疗效果不佳的胸、腰椎结核患者，采用后路矫形内固定、前路病灶清除植骨的一期手术方式可获得满意的疗效。     

The surgical treatment of Andersson lesions associated with ankylosing spondylitis

Eight men with Andersson lesions associated with ankylosing spondylitis who underwent surgical treatment were reviewed for this study. Eight Andersson lesions were found in the 8 patients, and all presented as pseudoarthrosis. Including a patient with obvious vertebral body destruction, no obvious local kyphosis was observed. Spinal cord compression and neural deficit were observed in 1 patient. Without established instructions for the surgical treatment of Andersson lesions, we alternated the surgical technique for each patient. Therefore, 5 patients, including the patient with obvious anterior destruction requiring reconstruction, underwent surgical treatment with lesion curettage and anterior bone graft and fusion; 3 other patients underwent surgical treatment without lesion curettage and anterior bone graft. All surgeries were performed from a posterior approach. Posterolateral autograft was supplemented to posterior instrumentation with or without anterior bone graft.All 8 patients experienced pain relief immediately postoperatively. No evidence of non-union was observed on radiographs at the level of pseudoarthrosis at final follow-up, and no neural and infectious complications were observed. Based on these results, surgical treatment with only posterior instrumentation supplemented by posterolateral autograft was effective for patients with Andersson lesions without obvious vertebral body destruction requiring reconstruction. Anterior lesion curettage and bone graft were not necessary. Solid immobilization, achieved by posterior instrumentation, should be the focus of the treatment of Andersson lesions with ankylosing spondylitis.     

Current treatments of primary aneurysmal bone cysts

The management of aneurysmal bone cyst depends on the age of the patient, the location, extent, aggressiveness and the size of the lesion. In the light of their experience and a review of the literature of 1256 aneurysmal bone cysts, the authors analyzed various treatment modalities. Inactive lesions can heal with biopsy or curettage alone. In active or aggressive lesions, elective treatment usually consists of curettage, whether associated or not with bone grafting and local adjuvants. Aneurysmal bone cyst in young children do not seem more aggressive than in older children. In pelvic locations, the emergence of a few cases of spontaneous healing (even in active or aggressive lesions) encourages the adoption of clinical and radiological supervision for some months after biopsy when possible. In some cases, the localization and extent of the cyst are such that operative treatment is extremely hazardous. Selective arterial embolization has made a considerable contribution towards the therapeutic solution of such cases. For some authors, direct percutaneous Ethibloc injection can be recommended as the first-choice treatment except in spinal lesions. Nevertheless, the complications encountered in some series after percutaneous embolization of aneurysmal bone cyst with Ethibloc should encourage the use of Ethibloc injection not as an initial treatment but as a reliable alternative to surgery.     

One-stage surgical management for children with spinal tuberculosis by anterior decompression and posterior instrumentation

The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of one-stage surgical management for children with spinal tuberculosis by anterior decompression, bone grafting, posterior instrumentation, and fusion. Between January 2002 and December 2006, 15 cases with spinal tuberculosis were treated with one-stage posterior internal fixation and anterior debridement. All cases were followed-up for an average of 30.3 months (range 12–48 months). The average neurological recovery in the patients was 0.93 grades on the scale of Frankel et al. (Paraplegia 7:179–192, 1969). The average preoperative kyphosis was 36° (range 19–59°), and the average postoperative kyphosis was 23° (range 15–38°) at final follow-up. At final follow-up, minimal progression of kyphosis was seen, with an average kyphosis of 27° (range 16–40°). An average loss of correction of 4° was seen at final follow-up. One-stage surgical management for children with spinal tuberculosis by anterior decompression, bone grafting, posterior instrumentation, and fusion was feasible and effective.     

Reconstruction of hand in aggressive benign bone tumors by mini JESS fixator

We present two cases of young females with aggressive benign bone tumors of the bone (Enchondroma and Giant Cell Tumor). Giant cell tumors and Enchondromas in hand are commonly found benign tumors, which may be locally aggressive. The primary treatment of these lesions is surgical. The two reported cases were treated successfully by extended curettage, bone grafting, and spanning JESS fixator. There was no recurrence in either case at one year follow-up and good hand function and complete healing of the lesion.     

脊柱肿瘤切除术后稳定性重建

目的：探索脊柱肿瘤切除术后稳定性重建的方法与效果。方法：本组对28例脊柱肿瘤实施了椎体切除。扇形半脊椎切除，附件切除和全脊椎发除四种术式，同时采用了椎体间植骨，人工椎体及前，后路内固定重建技术。结果：全组病人局部疼痛及放射痛缓解。13例截瘫患者中11例肌力均有不同程度改善。11例原发良性肿瘤中2例术后4和10年复发，1例伴恶变，均再次治疗，11例原发恶性肿瘤中2例术后9和12个月死亡，1例植骨块脱出，再次手术。另1例局部肿瘤复发截瘫加重，再次手术但神经功能无恢复。内固定并发症有；钉尾螺母松动脱落1例，椎弓根螺钉位置不良4例计9枚。结论：应用椎体间植骨，人工椎体并辅以前。后路内固定可有效重建脊柱稳定性，促进患者术后早期康复。     

Recurrence of aneurysmal bone cysts in young children: a multicentre study

Some authors have reported that the clinical and pathologic behaviour of aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) is more aggressive in younger patients and that younger patients have more tumour recurrence. The authors carried out a retrospective, multicentred paediatric population-based analysis of 21 patients (14 boys and seven girls), 5 years of age or younger, with primary ABCs. Only patients with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included. The most common operation was curettage (14 cases). Methylprednisolone acetate injection was used in two cases (failure in the initial diagnosis before biopsy) with negative results. An Ethibloc (Ethnor Laboratories/Ethicon, Norderstedt, Germany) injection was employed in four cases. There were five recurrences. Three lesions recurred once, one lesion recurred three times and one recurred six times. These recurrences occurred in two cases after methylprednisolone acetate injection, after Ethibloc (Ethnor Laboratories/Ethicon) injection (one case) and, after curettage (two cases). ABCs in children, 5 years of age or younger, do not seem to be more aggressive than in older children. Curettage is a surgical procedure that can be used even in young children. Of course, recurrence is always possible but the recurrence rate is not unacceptable. More aggressive operative intervention does not appear to be indicated.     

1989 Volvo Award in basic science. Device-related osteoporosis with spinal instrumentation

An animal model of anterior and posterior column instability was developed to allow in vivo observation of bone remodeling and arthrodesis after spinal instrumentation. After an initial anterior and posterior destabilizing lesion was created at the L5-L6 vertebral levels in 42 adult beagles, various spinal reconstructive surgical procedures were performed--with or without bilateral posterolateral bone grafting, and with or without spinal instrumentation (Harrington distraction; Luque rectangular, or Cotrel-Dubousset transpedicular methods). After 6 months' postoperative observation, there was a significantly improved probability of achieving a spinal fusion if spinal instrumentation had been used (P = 0.058). Nondestructive mechanical testing after removal of all metal instrumentation in torsion, axial compression, and flexion revealed that the fusions performed in conjunction with spinal instrumentation were more rigid (P less than 0.05). Quantitative histomorphometry showed that the volumetric density of bone was significantly lower (ie, device-related osteoporosis occurred) for fused versus unfused spines; and Harrington- and Cotrel-Dubousset-instrumented dogs became more osteoporotic than the other three groups. The rigidity of spinal instrumentation led to device-related osteoporosis (stress shielding) of the vertebra. However, as the rigidity of spinal instrumentation increased, there was an increased probability of achieving a successful spinal fusion. The improved mechanical properties of spinal instrumentation on spinal arthrodesis more than compensate for the occurrence of device-related osteoporosis in the spine.