Cranial aneurysmal bone cyst "with special emphasis on endovascular management"

Most of the literature about cranial aneurysmal bone cyst represents case reports, the aim of this paper is to gather information in solid clear statements about this disease in the region of the skull. This is a retrospective analysis of all available case reports on aneurysmal bone cyst involving the skull between 1960 and June 1998. The jaw was excluded.

Sixty one cases of aneurysmal bone cyst involving the skull were found. 33 were males and 28 were females. The average age at presentation was 17.5 years. A painless enlarging mass was the most common mode of presentation. Features of pressure on intracranial structures with increased intracranial pressure were present in some patients. Most patients were managed by total excision of the lesion when feasible. Partial resection resulted in recurrence in some patients. Endovascular embolization has been used as a single mode of therapy or as pre-operative to decrease the intra-operative bleeding.

Aneurysmal bone cysts not uncommonly affect the skull. The pathological changes are similar to those affecting other parts of the body. Clinical presentation varies and depends on the part of the skull involved. Endovascular embolization plays a very important role in the management either as pre-operative or as the only method of treatment.