Aneurysmal bone cyst in children: Analysis of twenty-seven patients

The authors have analyzed a retrospective series of 27 aneurysmal bone cyst s (ABCs) in children and adolescents. The average age at diagnosis was 10 y ears (range: 3 years 7 months to 16 years), with a mean follow-up of 5 year s (range: I month to 13 years 9 months). Pathologic fractures (8 cases) and pain (8 cases) were the main reasons for consultation. Of five spinal ABC patients, four presented with neurologic involvement. Although conventional radiology is useful for diagnosing ABCs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is nevertheless the most important technique for checking the extent of the lesions. However, the diagnosis still must be based on the pathologic labo ratory findings, even though this is sometimes difficult because of associa ted lesions. In lesions of the long bones, recurrence was observed after cu rettage in 5 of 12 cases. For this reason, simple resection or resection wi th reconstruction is recommended rather than curettage whenever possible. W hen an ABC is in contact with the growth plate in young children, blunt cur ettage should be performed to preserve the child's growth potential. Subseq uent recurrence usually is easier to treat than an epiphysiodesis bridge an d its consequences. The surgical procedures used to preserve the growth pla te are described, along with methods of bone construction after surgery.