[Radical surgery and vertebral body replacement in aneurysmal bone cysts of the spine]

6 cases of aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine are presented. The clinical picture, diagnostic procedures and operative treatment will be discussed. Although aneurysmal bone cyst is a benign, non-neoplastic lesion its spreading tumor growth with destruction of important bony structures of the vertebral body, consecutive instability and cord compression presents a considerable menace to the mostly teenage-patient. Spinal computerized tomography is the diagnostic method of choice. The goal of surgical therapy of the aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine should include radical tumor excision in order to avoid recurrent tumor growth followed by vertebral body replacement and osteosynthetic stabilisation.