Aneurysmal Bone Cysts of the Craniofacial Origin: A Systematic Review

Aneurysmal bone cyst arising from the surgically removed craniofacial fibrous dysplasia in the long-term follow-up: a case report

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare skeletal disorder characterized by abnormal fibro-osseous connective tissue replacing normal bone. Despite its benign behavior, craniofacial FD can cause morphological disfigurement, headache, and even blindness as a result of the produced mass effect. Surgical resection is recommended when the patient shows apparent clinical symptoms or aggravating facial asymmetry. Postoperative complications have been reported, such as hematoma, surgical site infection, abscess formation, resorption of the bone graft used for reconstruction, and recurrence. An aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a rare benign bony lesion that can occur secondary to preexisting bone tumor. Secondary ABCs in craniofacial FD are extremely rare in the literature, accounting for less than 30, all of which are either case reports or series. We report an extremely rare case of symptomatic secondary ABC arising from craniofacial FD that had been misdiagnosed with abscess formation or recurrence and was surgically removed. Notably, 17 years elapsed between the primary surgery and the complication of secondary ABC. The patient underwent total removal of secondary ABC. After surgery, symptoms were relieved, with no recurrence observed during a 6-month follow-up.

Small biopsies in the head and neck: Bone and soft tissue

Bone and soft tissue lesions in the head and neck encompass not only a broad morphologic spectrum but also significant inherent clinicopathologic overlap. Epidemiology, radiology, and location - similar to the diagnostic assessment in other sites - are especially important considerations in the context of an established mesenchymal proliferation. Herein, the approach towards diagnosis is stratified by morphology (spindle, sarcomatoid, epithelioid, round cell), cellular lineage (fibroblastic, nerve sheath, rhabdomyogenic), and tumor grade (benign, low- to high-grade malignant) as the basis of further immunohistochemical or molecular investigation.

Frequency of translocation of USP-6 in the aneurysmal bone cyst of the jaw

BACKGROUND

This study aims to detect USP6 translocation in aneurysmal cysts located in the jaw and to give an overview of demographic data.

METHODS

The present retrospective cohort study includes 10 patients who underwent surgery due to an aneurysmal cyst of the jaw in our hospital between 2002 and 2021. Unstained formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections cut at 4 μm thickness were subjected to USP6 FISH testing.

RESULTS

All patients underwent surgical treatment. In four of ten patients (40%) USP-6-translocations have been found.

CONCLUSION

Based on the study, it is hypothesized that the aneurysmal bone cyst of the jaw bone may be subject to a different pathomechanism than that of the long bones. Therefore, it seems conceivable that the primary cause of aneurysmal bone cysts in the jaw might differ.

A sizeable aneurysmal bone cyst of the mandibular ramus on 15-year-old patient. Intraoral approach

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are benign, non-neoplastic bone lesions, which contain blood and demonstrate a destructive pattern. They rarely occur in the head and neck region, with the mandible being the most common site of craniofacial origin. They develop in the second decade of life and their etiology is obscure. ABCs can sometimes demonstrate distinct radiological features and imaging is also necessary for preoperative planning. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment. The ABC should be excised in toto and usually osteotomies and primary reconstruction are necessary. We present a case of sizeable ABC of the mandibular ramus that was excised intraorally, without the need of combined approaches or reconstruction.

Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Sphenoid Body Mimicking Craniopharyngioma: A Case Report

An aneurysmal bone cyst is a locally destructive benign lesion that predominately affects the long bones. Sphenoid body involvement is rare. To date, only 19 primary aneurysmal bone cysts of the sphenoid body have been reported. We describe the case of an 18-year-old male with a one-week history of severe right eye pain and lacrimation, right-sided diplopia, right-sided headache, photophobia, nausea, and vomiting. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a lobulated lesion centered in the sphenoid body with expansion into the cavernous sinus, sellar region, and clivus. The lesion had a homogenous hyperintense T2 signal with enhancing sidewalls and minimal septations. Computed tomography (CT) angiography revealed a hypoattenuating lesion containing a substance of nine Hounsfield units, compatible with water density. The clinicoradiologic findings were consistent with a craniopharyngioma. Intraoperatively, the lesion was confirmed to contain clear fluid and have prominent arterial feeding vessels. The extradural tumor was then excised with intralesional curettage. The histopathologic analysis resulted in a diagnosis of an aneurysmal bone cyst. This case highlights the potentially non-specific and variable appearance of aneurysmal bone cysts and the need to consider it in the differential diagnosis of sphenoid bone lesions.