Die Entwicklung einer segmentalen Kyphose nach Resektion des Wirbelbogens C2 bei aneurysmatischer Knochenzyste - Krankheitsverlauf und Behandlungsstrategien

Therapeutic options to prevent recurrence of an aggressive aneurysmatic bone cyst of the cervical spine of a 16 year old boy - a case report

The aneurysmatic bone cyst (ABC) is a benign primary bone tumour. If located in the cervical spine, its expansive growth and destructive behaviour may lead to instability and serious neurological impairment. We report a case of a 16-year-old boy with an aggressive ABC in the 7th cervical vertebra. Computertomographic and magnetic resonance imaging revealed the envelopment of the left 7th and 8th spinal nerve along with the anterior displacement of the left vertebral artery. The interdisciplinary surgical strategy consisted of a partially incomplete cyst resection, subtotal spondylectomy with posterior screw-and-rod fixation from C6-Th1, iliac crest bone grafting and anterior plating from C6-Th1. With regard to the high rate of recurrence after incomplete resection published in the recent literature, the patient was postoperatively treated by megavoltage radiotherapy with a total dose of 30Gy (daily dose of 1.8 Gy for 3 weeks). The clinical and radiographic follow-up showed complete recovery of all neurologic impairments and no signs of tumour recurrence at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. This case highlights diverse treatment regimens and shall outline the challenge and the problems of the interdisciplinary decision-making in adolescents presenting with ABC in high-demanding anatomical regions.

Combined Percutaneous and Endovascular Treatment of Symptomatic Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Spine: Clinical Six Months. Follow-up of Six Cases

We describe the usefulness of endovascular and direct percutaneous treatment as a therapy option for aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) of the spine. From January 2007 to December 2008, we treated six consecutive patients with symptomatic ABCs resistant to continuous medical management or with acute clinical onset of paraparesis at cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine level. Two patients were treated after emergency laminectomy. All patients were studied with an MRI protocol and multidetector CT with MPR reconstructions followed by angiographic control before treatment. The procedure was performed under general anaesthesia for all patients. Under CT or fluoroscopy guidance, percutaneous treatment was performed either by direct injection of Glubran(®) diluted at 30% with Lipiodol(®) only, or combined with endovascular treatment by Onyx® injection. Clinical and X-ray follow-up was performed at three and six months. Combined endovascular and percutaneous treatment for ABCs was successful and led to an excellent outcome in five out of six patients with clinical improvement. There were no periprocedural or subsequent clinical complications and the glue resulted in successful selective permanent occlusion with intralesional penetration. Direct sclerotherapy resulted in immediate thrombosis of the malformation with no progression of symptoms. Complete healing was observed in five out of six aggressive lesions. No major complications were noted. At six month follow-up the symptoms had completely resolved and X-ray control showed a partial or total sclerotic reaction of the lesion with stable clinical results (no partial or clinical abnormalities). One patient had a recurrence of the ABC with spinal cord cervical clinical symptomatology. Combined endovascular and percutaneous treatment or direct percutaneous sclerotherapy with glue alone are important, safe, effective therapy options for symptomatic aneurysmal bone cyst. Results are stable and confirmed by clinical and X-ray follow-up six months after treatment.