Aneurysmal bone cyst | |
---|---|
Other names | Not recommended: Giant cell reparative granuloma of small bone, giant cell lesion of small bones[1] |
A. X-ray: osteolytic lesion in tibia near knee. B/C/D/E. MRI with E showing fluid levels. | |
Specialty | Orthopedics[1] |
Symptoms | Pain, swelling, pressure related neurological symptoms[1] |
Causes | Unknown[1] |
Diagnostic method | Medical imaging: CT scan, X-ray, MRI, bone scan.[1] |
Differential diagnosis | Telangiectatic osteosarcoma[1] |
Treatment | Surgery[2] |
Prognosis | 20-70% recur after curettage.[1] |
Frequency | Rare,[3] ~0.15 cases per one million per year.[1] 80% age <20 years.[1] M=F[1] |
Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a non-cancerous bone tumor composed of multiple varying sizes of spaces in a bone which are filled with blood.[1][4] The term is a misnomer, as the lesion is neither an aneurysm nor a cyst.[5] It generally presents with pain and swelling in the affected bone.[1] Pressure on neighbouring tissues may cause compression effects such as neurological symptoms.[1]
The cause is unknown.[1] Diagnosis involves medical imaging.[1] CT scan and X-ray show lytic expansion lesions with clear borders.[1] MRI reveals fluid levels.[1]
Treatment is usually by curettage, bone grafting or surgically removing the part of bone.[2] 20–30% may recur, usually in the first couple of years after treatment, particularly in children.[2]
It is rare.[3] The incidence is around 0.15 cases per one million per year.[1] Aneurysmal bone cyst was first described by Jaffe and Lichtenstein in 1942.[5][6]