Aneurysmal bone cyst of the mandible managed by conservative surgical therapy with preoperative embolization

A 9-year-old girl visited our hospital, complaining of a rapid-growing and rigid swelling on the left posterior mandibular area. Panoramic radiograph showed a moderately defined multilocular honeycomb appearance involving the left mandibular body. CT scan revealed an expansile, multilocular osteolytic lesion and multiple fluid levels within cystic spaces. Bone scan demonstrated increased radiotracer uptake and angiography showed a highly vascularized lesion. The lesion was suspected as aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) and preoperative embolization was performed, which minimize the extent of operation and the surgical complication. The lesion was treated by surgical curettage and lateral decortication with repositioning. No additional treatment such as a surgical reconstruction or bone graft was needed. Early diagnosis of ABC is very important and appropriate treatment should be performed considering several factors such as age, surgical complication, and possibility of recurrence.