[Treatment of aneurysmal bone cyst]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Pediatric Oncology
• Skeletal Pathology

Background:

• Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are benign, expansile, osteolytic bone lesions.
• These lesions can be locally aggressive and pose a surgical challenge, particularly in pediatric populations.
• Accurate classification (e.g., Capanna classification) is crucial for treatment planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the surgical treatment outcomes for aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) in pediatric patients.
• To analyze the efficacy of different surgical techniques, including curettage, bone grafting, and en-bloc resection.
• To assess the recurrence and complication rates associated with ABC management.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 16 pediatric patients treated for ABCs between 1998 and 2000.
• Surgical interventions included curettage with bone grafting (autograft, allograft, or combined), en-bloc resection, and radiotherapy.
• Patient demographics, cyst characteristics (aggressive/active), surgical procedures, and outcomes were recorded.

Main Results:

• The study included 16 patients aged 5-15 years, with 12 aggressive and 5 active cysts.
• Curettage with bone grafting was performed in 12 cases, utilizing various graft types (autograft, allograft, combined).
• Successful surgical management was achieved in 15 out of 16 cases, with one revision procedure required.

Conclusions:

• Surgical treatment, primarily curettage with bone grafting, is highly effective for pediatric aneurysmal bone cysts.
• The choice of bone graft material (autograft vs. allograft) may influence outcomes, though both can be successful.
• Aggressive and active ABCs can be managed effectively, with a low rate of revision surgery.