[Giant cell tumors, aneurysmal bone cysts and osteoid osteomas of the spine]

Experience collected by us from treating 15 patients suffering from giant cell tumours, aneurysmatic bone cysts or an osteoid osteoma prompted us to investigate which progress has been made to date in the diagnosis and treatment of these lesions that contain giant cells, basing on recent diagnostic methods such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance, as well as neurosurgical methods. It was found that the course of these rare changes cannot be influenced either by extensive diagnostic or special neurosurgical measures and that the prognosis finally depends on the growth trends inherent in the lesion concerned. Now that both diagnostic and surgical techniques are more refined than previously, there is a tendency to an improved individual approach that is better suited to the needs of the patient. Radiotherapy of benign changes involving giant cells in the region of the vertebral column is no longer of any importance.