Percutaneous Doxycycline Treatment of Juxtaphyseal Aneurysmal Bone Cysts

Aneurysmal bone cysts: A UK wide tumor center experience

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

This multicenter retrospective series of consecutive extra-spinal aneurysmal bone cysts aims to identify risk factors for treatment failure.

METHODS

Aneurysmal bone cysts treated within seven collaborating centers with over 12-months follow-up were eligible for inclusion. Survival analyses were performed to identify variables associated with recurrence using log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazard regression.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifteen (M:F 60:55) patients were included. Median age at presentation was 13 years and median follow-up was 27 months. Seventy-five patients underwent surgical curettage and 27% of these required further intervention for recurrence. Of the 30 patients who underwent biopsy with limited percutaneous curettage as initial procedure, 47% required no further treatment. Patients under 13 years (log-rank p = 0.006, HR 2.3, p = 0.011) and those treated who had limited curettage (log-rank p = 0.001, HR 2.7, p = 0.002) had a higher risk of recurrence/persistence.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a high risk of recurrence following surgical treatment for aneurysmal bone cysts and this risk is higher in young patients. However, the cyst heals in a substantial number of patients who have a limited curettage at the time of biopsy.

Aneurysmal bone cyst: Is selective arterial embolization effective as curettage and bone grafting?

INTRODUCTION

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a lytic benign bone lesion representing about 1% of all primary bone tumors. Method to treat ABC's have developed over time. The standard of care cure for ABC has been curettage with or without bone grafting of the defect but is burdened by recurrence rates of approximately 25%-31%. Based on the assumption that ABCs usually supplied by one or more pathological feeding arteries, selective arterial embolization has been described as an adjuvant preoperative procedure to reduce intra-operative hemorrhage, and as primary treatment for lesions in difficult surgical access. In the current study, we therefore asked whether (1) a single or a repeat selective arterial embolization (SAE) for treating ABCs would produce comparable healing rates compared with curettage and bone grafting; (2) evaluated the relationship of recurrence in relation to the site of the cyst, the age, and gender of the patients; and (3) the two techniques differ in term of long-term complication.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 265 patients who underwent curettage and bone grafting or SAE performed at our institute from 1994 to 2018. The diagnosis of ABC was always established with percutaneous CT-guided biopsy or open biopsy. Patients were followed clinically with plain radiographs or CT scan at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months then annually in the absence of symptoms. Treatment success was determined evaluating pre- and postprocedural imaging according to Chang classification.

RESULTS

Two hundred and nineteen were treated with curettage and bone grafting (curettage group), and 46 with SAE Group. Of the 219 patients treated with Curettage and bone grafting (curettage group), 165 out of 219 (75.3%) experienced bone healing, while local recurrence was observed in 54 cases (24.7%) after 12 months on average (range: 3-120 months) from surgery. After the first SAE, bone ossification was seen in 27 (58.7%), without needing any further treatment. Eleven recurred patients were treated with SAE (four patients need two while seven need three SAE to heal), and eight patients with curettage and bone grafting. Thirty-eight out of 46 (82%) patients experienced bone ossification regardless the number of SAE. The overall rate of local recurrence for all patients was 26.7%. SAE group presented a lower complication rate (6%) where two patients experienced skin necrosis, and one limb-length discrepancies (2% of all cohort).

DISCUSSION

The use of SAE is an attractive option to treat ABC as it combines on one hand a lower complication rate than curettage and bone grafting, on the other it can be carried out in case of nonresectable ABCs, significantly reducing the size of viable ABC lesions, fostering bone remodeling and mineralization, and most importantly, significantly improving the patient's quality of life.

Sclerotherapy as a primary or salvage procedure for aneurysmal bone cysts: A single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) are benign cystic bone tumors of an osteolytic and locally aggressive nature. As an alternative to the primary treatment of choice, which consists of curettage with bone grafting, alternative treatment methods with promising results have been described. At our department, we have, in recent years, used percutaneous sclerotherapy with polidocanol. The objective of this study was to identify the healing rate and safety of sclerotherapy with polidocanol.

AIM

To identify the efficacy and safety of sclerotherapy with polidocanol in primary and recurrent ABC.

METHODS

Twenty-two consecutive patients (median age 12.5 years; range 1-27) with 23 ABCs treated with sclerotherapy with polidocanol from 2016-2021 were included retrospectively. Eleven patients (48%) had undergone different forms of previous treatment with recurrence. Under general anesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance, repeated percutaneous injections of 4mg polidocanol/kg body weight were performed. Through review of the electronic medical records, the following were identified: healing and recurrence rate, number of treatments, gender, age, comorbidity, location of the tumor and side effects / complications, as well as any previous surgery for ABC. The median length of radiographic follow-up was 19.5 mo.

RESULTS

All ABCs except one (96%) showed healing or stable disease after a median of 4 (range 1-8) injections. Complete clinical and radiographic healing was observed in 16 cysts (70%), while partial radiographic healing with resolution of pain was seen in 6 cases (26%) and considered as stable disease. The cyst that failed to heal had previously undergone curettage twice with recurrence. One patient with a large pelvic ABC experienced, right after two injections, a sudden drop in blood pressure, which could quickly be reversed. One patient with a juxtaphyseal ABC in the femoral neck showed a minor limb length discrepancy because of deformity. Beyond that, no complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous sclerotherapy with polidocanol appears to be a safe alternative for treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts. In our series of both primary and recurrent cysts, it showed the ability to achieve healing or stable disease in 22 of 23 cases (96%). Further studies are needed to decide if this provides a long-lasting effect.

Restoration of Limb Length Discrepancy and Alignment With the Ilizarov Device After Management of an Aneurysmal Bone Cyst Crossing the Distal Femoral Physis

An aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC), when located juxta-physeal, may rarely penetrate the growth plate and extend into the epiphysis. The recurrence rate is considered higher when ABC is in contact with the active growth plate. Treatment methods usually focus on cyst healing and the rate of cyst recurrence. We present the method of treatment used for addressing the lesion of the growth plate following the surgical management and healing of a juxta-physeal ABC. A seven-year-old girl had an aggressive ABC in the juxta-physeal area of the distal femur, penetrating the growth plate and extending in the epiphysis. Surgical treatment was performed, including curettage and autologous bone grafting, avoiding the growth plate. The cyst healed; however, physis presented an obliteration. The affected limb developed valgus deformity and severe leg length discrepancy (LLD). To address this issue, once our patient completed her growth, we proceeded with distraction osteogenesis, using the Ilizarov device, with asymmetrical lengthening of the rods. We achieved the correction of the limb alignment and resolved the LLD. ABCs in the juxta-physeal area of a growing child are benign metaphyseal tumors that exceptionally may penetrate the physis and extend into the epiphysis. Our report highlights that the growth plate's lesion, despite the cyst's healing, may compromise the final result. The use of the Ilizarov device is an effective method for correcting the malalignment and the LLD that may emerge.

Single dose intralesional doxycycline foam infusion promotes bone growth and resolution of an odontoid aneurysmal bone cyst

Background

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are locally invasive bone tumors that most commonly arise in long bone metaphyses, the vertebral column, and pelvis, often presenting in the second decade of life. ABCs can be treated with resection, radiation, arterial embolization, and intralesional curettage. More recently intralesional doxycycline foam injections, which appear to act through the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases and angiogenesis, have been used successfully, although multiple treatments are often required with this approach.

Case Description

A 13-year-old male with an incidentally discovered ABC filling much of the odontoid process but not violating the native odontoid cortex was treated with a single intralesional doxycycline foam injection delivered through a transoral approach with an excellent radiographic result. After placing a Crowe-Davis retractor, a transoral exposure of the odontoid process was performed with neuronavigation guidance. A fluoroscopy-guided Jamshidi needle biopsy was performed and via the needle doxycycline foam (2 mL 50 mg/mL doxycycline, 2 mL 25% albumin, and 1 mL Isovue 370 mixed with 5 mL of air) was infused, filling the cystic cavities of the odontoid process. The patient tolerated the operation well. Two months postoperatively, a computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a decrease in the size of the lesion with substantial new bone formation. Repeat CT at 6 months showed no residual cystic lucency, formation of dense new bone, and only minimal irregularity of the cortex at the prior needle biopsy site.

Conclusion

This case illustrates that the use of doxycycline foam can be an excellent option when managing ABCs that cannot be resected without incurring significant morbidity.

Vertebral Aneurysmal Bone Cyst Mimicking Osteosarcoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Aneurysmal bone cysts are benign osseous lesions containing blood-filled cavities separated by walls of connective tissue. They can be difficult to identify clinically due to similarities in presentation, imaging, and histology with other pathologies. Specifically, it is important to distinguish these benign lesions from malignant processes, as both surgical and medical management differ. We present the case of a 21-year-old patient who presented with impaired motor and sensory function in his lower extremities. Radiologic findings were concerning for an invasive neoplasm, and the intraoperative frozen section supported this conclusion. However, an additional histological investigation was confirmatory for a diagnosis of an aneurysmal bone cyst. The patient underwent corpectomy, laminectomy, and a posterior spinal fusion, and regained motor and sensory function shortly thereafter. This report details the importance of considering aneurysmal bone cysts in the differential of infiltrative bone lesions, despite their benign nature, as medical and surgical management can vary greatly.

Minimally invasive treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts: Systematic literature review

INTRODUCTION

The optimal treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) remains controversial. Surgery has long been considered as the treatment that yields the best outcomes. Some authors now prefer using less invasive options as the primary treatment. The primary objective of this systematic literature review was to determine if treatments that are less invasive than surgery are also effective in curing the ABC. The secondary objective was to determine the respective role of each treatment in the therapeutic arsenal.

HYPOTHESIS

Less invasive treatments can replace surgery as the base treatment for ABC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A PubMed® search was carried out for this review. The inclusion criteria were ABC treatment without cyst removal, case series, clinical case reports, reviews, publication in French or English. Excluded were articles that described the results of surgical treatment only, cranial or maxillofacial cysts, secondary ABC, duplicates, no abstract available. Based on the first six items of the "MINOR criteria", we selected 42 studies. For each selected study, we analyzed the number of cases, clinical response to treatment, radiological healing, recurrence or failure rate, complications and side effects of the treatment.

RESULTS

This review found that less invasive treatments generate results that are at least as good as surgery, often with fewer complications. Thus, in certain cases, these treatments can be recommended as first-line therapy. This category includes selective arterial embolization, sclerotherapy (alcohol, polidocanol) and injection of demineralized bone matrix.

DISCUSSION

Selective arterial embolization yields good results. While this is a difficult, operator-dependent technique that is not suitable for all ABCs (no identifiable feeding vessel), we recommend it as the primary treatment for spinal ABCs. For ABCs in other locations, sclerotherapy can be used as the primary treatment. However, this treatment becomes inconvenient if the number of injections is too high. Radiation therapy is not a first-line treatment because of its side effects. Bisphosphonates and denosumab can be used when the other treatments are contraindicated.

Doxycycline sclerotherapy of cervical spine aneurysmal bone cysts: single-institution 13-year experience

BACKGROUND

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are benign, locally aggressive neoplasms that typically affect patients during their first two decades of life. Curettage with or without bone grafting or adjuvants is the current standard treatment; however, other surgical and medical treatments, such as sclerotherapy, have been reported. Treatment options for cervical spine ABCs are more limited because the proximity of ABCs to critical structures leads to greater risk of spontaneous or treatment-related adverse events, including death.

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively review all children and young adults with cervical spine ABCs treated with doxycycline sclerotherapy at one referral center to assess its viability as a standalone treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical notes and imaging of 16 patients treated with doxycycline sclerotherapy for pathologically proven cervical spine ABCs at our institution between May 2008 and March 2021. All patients underwent image-guided percutaneous doxycycline sclerotherapy to ablate the ABC and stimulate bone formation. We assessed clinical outcomes through chart review and described post-treatment imaging outcomes using modified Neer scoring.

RESULTS

Of the 16 total children and young adults treated, 2 were lost to follow-up, leaving 14 patients with a median age of 14.5 years. Twelve of these 14 patients were successfully treated with doxycycline sclerotherapy for a success rate of 86%. One patient experienced one treatment-related complication (Society of Interventional Radiology [SIR] adverse event classification D), before ultimately being successfully treated. Doxycycline treatment failed in two patients, who then underwent surgical management. Post-treatment imaging of successfully treated cases had a mean modified Neer score of 1.3, whereas post-treatment imaging in failed cases had a mean score of 3.5.

CONCLUSION

Doxycycline sclerotherapy is a viable standalone treatment for cervical spine ABCs because it is safe and effective while avoiding the morbidity associated with open surgical treatments.

Current strategies for the treatment of solitary and aneurysmal bone cysts: A review of the literature

•

SBCs can mostly be treated conservatively.

•

In ABCs a biopsy is compulsory.

•

ABCs can be treated by polidocanol instillations adequately.

This review of the literature aims to compare the etiology, the pathogenesis, the clinical diagnostics and the relevant treatment options of two different types of cystic bone lesions: the solitary bone cyst (SBC) and the aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC). Whereas the clinical symptoms and the radiographic appearance can be similar, the diagnostic pathway and the treatment options are clearly different.

The solitary bone cyst (SBC) represents a tumor-like bone lesion, occurring most frequently in the humerus and femur in children and adolescents. Pain caused by intercurrent pathological fractures is often the first symptom, and up to 87% of the cysts are associated with pathological fractures. In the majority of cases SBCs can be treated conservatively, especially in the upper extremity. However, if a fracture is completely dislocated, joint affecting, unstable or open, surgical treatment is necessary. Pain under weight bearing or regaining the ability to mobilize after fracture timely can necessitate surgical treatment in SBCs affecting the lower extremity. Spontaneous resolution can be seen in rare cases.

The aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a benign, locally aggressive tumor that occurs in childhood and early adulthood. It usually affects the metaphysis of long bones but can also occur in the spine or the pelvis. ABC can be primary but also secondary to other bone pathologies. The diagnosis has to be confirmed by biopsy and histopathological examinations. With cytogenetic studies and the detection of specific translocations of the ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) 6 gene primary ABCs can be differentiated from secondary ABCs and other bone lesions. Among various modalities of treatment i.e. en bloc resection, intralesional curettage with adjuvants, embolization or the systemic application of denosumab, intralesional sclerotherapy using polidocanol is an effective and minimally invasive treatment of primary ABCs.

Limb Length Discrepancy and Angular Deformity due to Benign Bone Tumors and Tumor-like Lesions

Benign bone tumors and tumor-like lesions are frequently diagnosed in children and adolescents. The immature skeleton is at risk for growth disturbances and deformity because of the effects of the lesions on normal bone architecture and the physis. The development, manifestation, and severity of the limb length inequality and deformity differs between the various bone pathologies. Distraction osteogenesis, osteotomy, and guided growth are key tools in the treatment of limb inequality and deformity using a combination of external and internal fixation devices.

Qualitative evaluation of MRI features in aneurysmal bone cysts after percutaneous sclerotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To report MRI findings of changes seen in aneurysmal bone cysts after percutaneous sclerotherapy treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After applying exclusion criteria, a total of 36 patients who had aneurysmal bone cysts and undergone percutaneous sclerotherapy were included in this study. The pre-treatment and post-treatment MRIs were reviewed and multiple pre-determined MRI findings were evaluated. The presence of each post-treatment finding, as well as the time for each finding to develop, was recorded.

RESULTS

Early post-sclerotherapy changes include increased perilesional edema and enhancement, which appear on MRI on average 5.1 months after the initial sclerotherapy. This is followed by decreased cystic areas, which can be seen on average 5.9 months after the initial treatment. The presence of fibrosis, improved cortical integrity, and improving mass effect are later post-treatment changes and appear on MRI on average 9.7 months, 10.6 months, and 16.1 months after the initial sclerotherapy, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The early and late post-sclerotherapy MR findings of aneurysmal bone cysts were reported in this study.

Percutaneous treatments of primary aneurysmal bone cysts: systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To systematically review the literature to determine recurrence rates of percutaneous treatments for primary aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC).

METHODS

Search strategies were performed in the following databases: PubMed, SCIELO, LILACS and BVS, using terms in English, Spanish and Portuguese (PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42020170340). Longitudinal studies, either observational or clinical trials, with at least five patients and with a mean of 18 months of follow-up were included. Studies had to use any type of percutaneous treatments and report the recurrence rates of primary ABC treatment. Studies selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed independently by two researchers. A global meta-analysis was carried out to assess the proportion of recurrence. Studies were categorized into two subgroups: selective arterial embolization and sclerotherapy.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were included in the present study. The average success rate of percutaneous treatments for ABC was 91.11%, with a total of 37 lesions recurrences in the 416 patients. The sex ratio was 1:1. The subgroup of sclerotherapies presented a lower proportion of recurrence. The proportion of recurrence in the subgroup of selective arterial embolization was 19% (95%IC 12.11-27.54) and that of sclerotherapies was 6% (95%IC 3.65-9.19).

CONCLUSIONS

Both percutaneous treatments for ABC are effective, showing a lower rate of recurrence. Sclerotherapy treatments seem to be promising, but further clinical trials must be conducted with a longer follow-up.

Efficacy of treatment interventions for primary aneurysmal bone cysts: a systematic review

AIMS

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are locally aggressive lesions typically found in the long bones of children and adolescents. A variety of management strategies have been reported to be effective in the treatment of these lesions. The purpose of this review was to assess the effectiveness of current strategies for the management of primary ABCs of the long bones.

METHODS

A systematic review of the published literature was performed to identify all articles relating to the management of primary ABCs. Studies required a minimum 12-month follow-up and case series reporting on under ten participants were not included.

RESULTS

A total of 28 articles meeting the eligibility criteria were included in this review, and all but one were retrospective in design. Due to heterogeneity in study design, treatment, and outcome reporting, data synthesis and group comparison was not possible. The most common treatment option reported on was surgical curettage with or without a form of adjuvant therapy, followed by injection-based therapies. Of the 594 patients treated with curettage across 17 studies, 86 (14.4%) failed to heal or experienced a recurrence. Similar outcomes were reported for 57 (14.70%) of the 387 patients treated with injection therapy across 12 studies. Only one study directly compared curettage with injection therapy (polidocanol), randomizing 94 patients into both treatment groups. This study was at risk of bias and provided low-quality evidence of a lack of difference between the two interventions, reporting success rates of 93.3% and 84.8% for injection and surgical treatment groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

While both surgery and sclerotherapy are widely implemented for treatment of ABCs, there is currently no good quality evidence to support the use of one option over the other. There is a need for prospective multicentre randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on interventions for the treatment of ABCs. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(2):125-133.

What's New in Pediatric Orthopaedic Tumor Surgery

BACKGROUND

Pediatric Orthopaedic Oncology is a developing subspecialty within the field of Pediatric Orthopaedics. Traditionally, the field of Orthopaedic Oncology has been focused on the skeletally mature individual, and the research tends to be all encompassing rather than truly evaluating isolated populations. The purpose of this review is to summarize the most clinically relevant literature in the field of Pediatric Orthopaedic Oncology over the last 6 years.

METHODS

We evaluated the PubMed database utilizing keywords for pediatric orthopaedic oncology: sarcoma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, bone cyst. In additionally, we further broadened our search by searching for relevant articles in the contents sections of major orthopaedic surgery journals that routinely publish both pediatric and orthopaedic oncology literature. In keeping with "What's New," we selected the most clinically relevant articles published in the last 6 years from January 1, 2014 through February 2020. Basic science and systemic therapies literature was widely reviewed and the research and clinical trials most relevant to pediatric sarcoma and neoplastic processes found in the pediatric population were included.

RESULTS

Our search yielded 60 articles that met general criteria, from which 14 were determined to be most relevant to the goals of this paper. Of the papers presented in this review, there were papers related to management of benign tumors/tumor-like conditions, bone cysts, limb salvage procedures, and amputation procedures. Ultimately included in the review were 5 studies related to limb salvage, 4 related to bone cysts, 1 related to multiple hereditary exostoses, 2 related to osteofibrous dysplasia, 1 related to chondroblastoma, and 1 discussing cementation in skeletally immature patients. They were level III, IV, and V studies. Basic science and systemic therapies literature was widely reviewed and the research and clinical trials most relevant to pediatric sarcoma and neoplastic processes found in the pediatric population were included. Our search of the basic science and systemic therapies literature yielded 19 sources were found to be pertinent to our aims and 18 of those sources were published between 2015 and 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

There are many, varied, and creative procedures in the realm of limb salvage, though there remains a lack of high-level evidence to support some of the more novel procedures. In regards to benign bone tumors, despite a more solid base of literature, there still does not seem to be consensus as to the best treatment. In particular, there continue to be many schools of thought on the treatment of benign bone cysts. Research in the basic science arena and systemic therapies are advancing in exciting ways in regards to pediatric sarcoma. Orthopaedic oncologic research specific to the pediatric population overall continues to be impeded by low sample sizes and inadequate levels of evidence, which limits the ability of surgeons to draw definitive conclusions from the literature.

Aneurysmal bone cyst inadvertently treated with chemotherapy-A series of three cases

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a benign locally aggressive tumor that occurs in childhood and early adulthood. Most relevant differential diagnoses are the telangiectatic osteosarcoma and the giant cell tumor. In the present case series chemotherapy following the EURAMOS or the Euro-Ewing 99 protocol was externally applied in three patients with the misdiagnosis of ABC as malignant bone tumor. In all three cases, a significant reduction of the volume of the ABC was achieved. This is the first report about the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in ABC. Chemotherapy reduces the size of an ABC and leads to progressive sclerosis.

Primary aneurysmal bone cysts

AIMS

The aim of this study was to analyze the complications and outcomes of treatment in a series of previously untreated patients with a primary aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) who had been treated by percutaneous sclerosant therapy using polidocanol.

METHODS

Between January 2010 and December 2016, 56 patients were treated primarily with serial intralesional sclerosant injections. Their mean age was 20 years (1 to 54). The sites involved were clavicle (n = 3), humeri (n = 11), radius (n = 1), ulna (n = 3), hand (n = 2), pelvis (n = 12), femur (n = 7), tibia (n = 13), fibula (n = 3), and foot (n = 1). After histopathological confirmation of the diagnosis, 3% polidocanol (hydroxypolyaethoxydodecan) was injected into the lesion under image intensifier guidance. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiologically every six to eight weeks. In the absence of clinical and/or radiological response, a repeat sclerosant injection was given after eight to 12 weeks and repeated at similar intervals if necessary.

RESULTS

There were no complications of treatment. One patient was lost to follow-up. Overall, 46/55 (84%) of lesions healed after one or more injections of polidocanol: 24/55 (44%) patients healed with a single injection, and 43/55 (78%) within two injections. Of these 46, four (9%) patients developed local recurrence, two of whom healed with a repeat sclerosant injection. Thus, 44/55 (80%) patients of primary ABC healed with sclerotherapy. The mean follow-up was 62 months (20 to 111). The local recurrence free survival (LRFS) with percutaneous sclerosant therapy with polidocanol was 100%, 98% (95% confidence interval (CI) 85 to 100) and 93% (95% CI 78 to 98) at two, three, and five years, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous sclerotherapy using polidocanol is a safe, effective, minimally invasive and inexpensive method of treating a primary ABC of the limbs or pelvis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(2):186-190.

Image-Guided Percutaneous Management of Skull and Spine Giant Cell Tumors: Case Report of 2 Challenging Cases Successfully Treated with Doxycycline Sclerotherapy

Background

A giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone is a benign, locally aggressive tumor that is often challenging to treat. When complete resection is not possible, curettage with or without adjuvants is the most common treatment. The high frequency of local recurrence and risk of injury to adjacent structures can limit this surgical approach, especially with skull and spine lesions.

Case Description

We report 2 cases of axial skeleton GCTs, 1 in the skull of a 58-year-old woman in whom operative management failed, who experienced local recurrence, and 1 in the cervical spine of an 8-year-old girl that grew extracompartmentally to surround her brachial plexus. Both patients were referred to us because of the surgically challenging nature of their tumors. After completion of the same percutaneous doxycycline sclerotherapy protocol previously described for aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs), both patients were considered cured and were able to return to normal activities without loss of pretreatment function. After 4 and 10 years of follow-up, respectively, there has been no tumor recurrence in either patient.

Conclusions

We successfully treated 2 patients with very challenging axial skeleton GCTs using a percutaneous doxycycline sclerotherapy protocol previously shown to have success with ABCs. We believe that this minimally invasive procedure should be considered a potential alternative treatment for GCTs, especially axial skeleton lesions, which may not be easily approached with standard surgical techniques.

Aneurysmal bone cyst: results of an off label treatment with Denosumab

Background

The treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) has evolved and less invasive methods have been tried. Denosumab is a monoclonal antibody which inhibits osteoclasts. It has been shown to be effective in giant cell tumour of bone (GCT) of bone and hence promises some effect also in ABC. We report on 6 patients treated with Denosumab and compare our results to the cases already published.

Methods

Data of 6 patients with ABCs and patients whose treatment included Denosumab were retrospectively analyzed. Denosumab was used at a dose of 120 mg on days 1, 8, 15 and 29, and every 4 weeks thereafter. In some of these patients the dose was reduced at the end of the treatment. Clinical and radiological responses were evaluated.

Results

In 4 female and 2 male patients with a mean age of 17 years (range: 6–30 years) the lesions were located in the sacrum (2), in distal radius, distal femur, talus and pelvis. One of the sacral lesions healed after 12 months and has stayed stable for 3 years since. The second patient received 2 years of therapy with recalcification, but recurred 1 year later and is under renewed therapy. The pelvic lesion improved but recurred. This patient has a 13-years history of intermittent therapy including surgery, two pregnancies and remains in a stable situation. The lesion of the talus did not improve with Denosumab after surgery and was complicated by destruction of the ankle joint with osteoarthritis. Recurrent lesions of the distal femur and the distal radius, previously treated by curettage and bone grafting healed under Denosumab and have remained stable for 2 and 3 years, respectively. One case of severe hypercalcemia was observed in a 7-year old child 6 months after discontinuation of Denosumab.

Conclusion

Denosumab provides a treatment option for ABCs in anatomically critical locations. Adjuvant application might reduce the rate of local recurrence. In young patients, severe rebound hypercalcemia months after discontinuation of Denosumab may occur.

Metachronous, Polyostotic Aneurysmal Bone Cysts in an Adolescent Female: A Case Report

UPDATE

This article was updated on December 17, 2019, because a new reference was added post-publication. This new reference (Niemeier TE, Leddy LR, Chapin RW, Smith TM. Metachronous Aneurysmal Bone Cysts in a Fourteen-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. JBJS Case Connect. 2013 Jun 12;3[2 Suppl 8]:1-7) has been inserted as reference 26, and the original references 26 and 29 through 35 have been renumbered accordingly. Additionally, Table I and several passages in the text have been updated to reflect the addition of the new reference. Specifically, in Table I, the study by Niemeier et al. has been inserted as the fifth row between the "Amer et al." and "Current case" rows. On page 3, the text that had read "To our knowledge, there are only 4 published cases of metachronous, polyostotic ABCs in 4 male patients-. The longest documented interval between clinical presentation of the first and second lesions is 15 years, whereas the shortest interval is 15 months." now reads "To our knowledge, there are only 5 published cases of metachronous, polyostotic ABCs in 4 male patients and 1 female patient-. The longest documented interval between clinical presentation of the first and second lesions is 15 years, whereas the shortest interval is 3 months." On page 7, the passage that had read "However, to our knowledge, there are only 4 published cases of metachronous, polyostotic ABCs, and all patients were males-. The current case demonstrates that females may also develop polyostotic disease. None of the 4 previously reported cases of metachronous, polyostotic ABCs demonstrated a previous history of malignancy-." now reads "However, to our knowledge, there are only 5 published cases of metachronous, polyostotic ABCs with only 1 case describing lesions in a female patient-. This is the second case demonstrating that females may also develop polyostotic disease. None of the 5 previously reported cases of metachronous, polyostotic ABCs demonstrated a previous history of malignancy-." Also on page 7, the sentence that had read "Metachronous ABCs are rare and have been reported to present anywhere from 15 months to 15 years after diagnosis of the initial lesion,." now reads "Metachronous ABCs are rare and have been reported to present anywhere from 3 months to 15 years after diagnosis of the initial lesion-."An erratum has been published: JBJS Case Connect. 2019 Dec 26;9(4):e0263ER.

CASE

We present a case involving an adolescent female who developed metachronous, polyostotic aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) of the left hemipelvis and left proximal tibia within a 16-month interval. At age 12 years, the left periacetabular ABC was initially treated with selective arterial embolization and percutaneous sclerotherapy, followed by intralesional curettage and bone grafting. At age 14 years, the left proximal tibia ABC was treated with intralesional curettage, bone grafting, and prophylactic internal fixation. She showed no evidence of recurrence of either lesion after 32 and 12 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Metachronous, polyostotic ABCs may occur in females. Metachronous lesions may present years after the initial ABC; therefore, additional imaging to rule out polyostotic disease is not indicated in the routine management of a solitary ABC. Patients with multiple ABCs should be managed by following the standard approach for treatment of each lesion.

Aneurysmal bone cyst: A review of 65 patients

Background

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) are benign but locally aggressive lesions. The treatment of ABC has evolved over the years, but curettage with or without local adjuvants still represents the standard. Less invasive methods such as embolization, sclerotherapy or RANKL inhibitors (Denosumab) are also established. The aim of this study was to report and compare the results of a series of patients mainly treated with curettage with and without subsequent phenolization.

Methods

65 patients with the unequivocal diagnosis of primary ABC were treated. 61 of them were located within the bone whereas 4 patients had an ABC of the soft tissues. All patient were treated surgically by means of curettage with or without adjuvants, resection, or with minimally invasive methods such as Polidocanol injections, embolizations or Denosumab treatment. In total 80 procedures had been performed.

Results

Our patients had a mean age of 25.3 ± 16.0 years, ranging from 4 to 74 years. The most common skeletal locations were the pelvis in 23%, the femur in 18%, the tibia in 16% and the spine in 10%. Six lesions were resected and showed no recurrence. 5 patients were treated with polidocanol injections (n = 3) or embolization plus systemic treatment with Denosumab (n = 2). With embolization and Denosumab both patients showed stable disease and required no further treatment. Polidocanol injections resulted in stable disease with no further treatment required in one patient and in subsequent curettage with adjuvant phenolization in two other patients.

In 54 initial curettages 21 were performed with adjuvant phenolization. In this group, 16 lesions healed (76%), 3 showed persistent disease and 2 patients had a local recurrence (9%). Out of 33 patients without phenolization 21 (64%) healed, 3 showed stable persistent disease and 9 (27%) experienced a recurrence. In total we performed 66 curettages, 27 with and 39 without adjuvant phenol treatment. Resolution was achieved in 19 (70%) and 25 (64%) of cases. respectively. Persistent disease was evident in 5 cases each and recurrence in 3 and 9 cases, respectively (n.s.).

Conclusion

Curettage is still the standard of treatment for ABC. Local recurrence does not depend on the use of adjuvant phenol as shown in this and other studies. Minimally invasive methods such as selective embolization and injections of sclerosing agents may result in healing or at least in tolerable persistence of residual lesions but needs repetitive treatments and does not show homogenous results throughout the institutions. Denosumab appears to be an additional option, especially in surgically critical locations such as the spine or the sacrum.

Aneurysmal bone cyst treated with percutaneous doxycycline: is a single treatment sufficient?

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this case series is to report on the effectiveness of a single percutaneous injection of doxycycline as a primary treatment for aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on seven patients diagnosed with ABC at various anatomical sites, with the intention to treat by a single percutaneous injection of doxycycline. Mean patient age was 14 years.

RESULTS

Signs of treatment response were seen in six of seven patients after one injection. Three of the seven received a second treatment, despite signs of response. Another had expansion of the lesion after treatment, requiring excision. In total, three patients had a single injection of doxycycline as their sole treatment and another three showed signs of response after a single injection.

CONCLUSIONS

A single percutaneous injection of doxycycline should be considered a viable primary treatment option for ABC.

PERCUTANEOUS TREATMENT OF ANEURYSMAL BONE CYST WITH CALCITONIN AND METHYLPREDNISOLONE

OBJECTIVE

To introduce the intralesional calcitonin and methylprednisolone percutaneous injection method, which results in the promotion of primary aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) healing.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study involving 76 patients diagnosed with ABC was performed between 2005 and 2014. Patients treated with calcitonin and methylprednisolone injection and who underwent more than 2 years of follow-up were considered eligible for the study (n=47). The Enneking staging and Capanna classification systems were used during the initial evaluation. Treatment response was assessed by Rastogi radiographic grading based on the degree of healing. X² and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and odds ratio calculations were used in the statistical analysis with a 5% significance level.

RESULTS

The proximal tibia extremity was the most commonly affected site (17.0%). Thirty-three (70.3%) ABC cases were staged as B3 and 28 (59.7%) were classified as type II. The average number of injections performed was 2.8 per patient, with an average reduction of the initial lytic area of 83.7% (p-value=0.00001). Satisfactory results for 91.4% (n=43; p-value=0.00001) were obtained and 5 recurrences occurred. No side effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

Intralesional calcitonin and methylprednisolone percutaneous injection is a minimally invasive, effective, and safe method for promoting primary ABC healing. Level of evidence IV, Type of study: case series.

Characterization of doxycycline-loaded calcium phosphate cement: implications for treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts

Percutaneous doxycycline for treatment for aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) has been shown to decrease recurrence rates, however, this requires multiple procedures, includes the risks soft tissue necrosis, and does not provide structural support. We propose utilizing curettage with doxycycline-loaded calcium phosphate cement. This study aimed to evaluate the elution profile of doxycycline from calcium phosphate cement. Calcium phosphate cement underwent an in vitro elution protocol evaluating doxycycline concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 15 mg/mL. Eluted concentrations were quantified utilizing high performance liquid chromatography at predetermined time points over 96 h. Compressive strength was evaluated both pre- and post-elution and micro-computed tomography was utilized to assess changes in cement porosity. Cement with 15 mg/mL of doxycycline maintained a higher average concentration (mean, 95% confidence intervals) (14.5 µg/mL [9.2-19.9 µg/mL]) compared to both 5 mg/mL (5.8 µg/mL [3.1-8.6 µg/mL]; P < 0.001) and 10 mg/mL (8.4 ± µg/mL [6.0-10.9 µg/mL]; P < 0.001). Ultimate stress significantly decreased between pre- and post-elution samples for 10 mg/mL (P= 0.001) and 15 mg/mL (P = 0.004) groups. This study demonstrated a dose-dependent response in ultimate strength and compressive modulus with addition of doxycycline to calcium phosphate cement.

Treatment of Aneurysmal Bone Cysts with Bioactive Glass in Children

Background and Aims:

Aneurysmal bone cysts represent about 1% of primary bone tumors. The standard treatment is curettage, followed by local adjuvant treatments and bone grafting. The problem is the high recurrence rate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the use of bioactive glass as a filling material in the treatment of aneurysmatic bone cysts in children.

Material and Methods:

A total of 18 consecutive children (mean 11.3 years at surgery; 10 males; 11 lower, 6 upper limb, 1 pelvis; 15 with primary surgery) with histologically proven primary aneurysmal bone cysts operated with curettage and bioactive glass filling between 2008 and 2013 were evaluated after a mean follow-up of 2.0 years (range, 0.7–5.1 years).

Results:

Two (11%) patients showed evidence of aneurysmal bone cyst recurrence and both have been re-operated for recurrence. Bone remodeling was noted in all patients with remaining growth and no growth plate disturbances were recorded. Two patients needed allogeneic blood transfusion. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were recorded.

Conclusion:

We conclude that bioactive glass is a suitable filling material for children with primary aneurysmal bone cyst. Bioactive glass did not affect bone growth and no side effects were reported.