Solid variant of aneurysmal bone cyst presenting as a giant cervical mass: A clinical, radiological, histopathological dilemma

Multiprofessional Management of Giant Cell Tumors in the Cervical Spine: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Giant cell tumors of the bone (GCTB) are rare bone tumors, especially in the cervical spine. Generally considered benign, local aggressiveness and metastatic growth have been described. Surgical concepts for GCTB are challenged by complex neurovascular anatomy. Specific clinical management guidelines are nonexistent. This systematic review aims to compile existing evidence on the treatment of GCTB of the cervical spine.

METHODS

Four electronic databases were searched: Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. All clinical studies reporting the treatment of GCTB in the human cervical spine in English language were found eligible for review.

RESULTS

Seven studies were included in the synthesis including a total number of 54 patients. Of those patients, 46 (85%) were treated for naive nonrecurrent GCTB. Only 1 study is considered a cohort study; all other studies were case reports. Generally, intralesional procedures were performed in 13 (24%) cases. Subtotal resections were reported for 11 (20%) patients. Twenty-eight (52%) patients were surgically treated with piecemeal resection, en-bloc resection, or spondylectomy. Thirty-six (67%) patients underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. A combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy was reported in 2 (4%) cases. Bisphosphonates were prescribed for 9 (17%) patients. Inconsistent reporting of outcome data did not allow for comparative analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Best available evidence suggests that the most aggressive surgical approach should be the main goal of any GCTB surgery. No specific adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment can be recommended as superior due to a lack of comparative data. Therapeutic approaches need to be planned thoroughly on an individual basis.

Solid aneurysmal bone cyst of the humerus mimics metastasis or brown tumor

Solid aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a rare subtype of ABC that most commonly involves the small bones of the hands or feet. We present a case of a solid ABC of the distal humerus in a 52-year-old man with a history of chronic kidney disease and renal cell carcinoma. On imaging with plain radiographs, CT, and MRI, this expansile lucent lesion with solid internal enhancement had an appearance that overlapped with metastasis or brown tumor of hyperparathyroidism. On 18F-FDG PET-CT, this lesion was hypermetabolic with an SUVmax of 9.9. Only 37 cases of solid ABC have previously been reported to involve the long bones in the literature, and only 4 in the humerus. We review the clinical, imaging, and histopathological findings and differential diagnosis of solid ABC, and highlight the usefulness of identifying the USP6 gene rearrangement on FISH to distinguish this lesion from other lesions with secondary ABC formation.

Early Recurrence of a Solid Variant of Aneurysmal Bone Cyst in a Young Child After Resection: Technique and Literature Review and Two-year Follow-up After Corpectomy

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are considered to be rare benign tumors that may affect long bones or the vertebral column. Their incidence varies and is reported to be 1.4% of all benign skeletal tumors. The solid-variant aneurysmal bone cyst (S-ABC) is even rarer and constitutes 3.5% to 7% of all vertebral ABCs. We report the case of an Enneking stage 3 S-ABC in a 5-year-old boy at C7 that showed rapid local recurrence after primary excision from posterior and dorsal stabilization requiring ventral corpectomy and posterior excision of the right lateral mass and right posterolateral fusion. Histologic examination disclosed an S-ABC. To our knowledge, this is the first case of S-ABC described in the literature that used both anterior and posterior approaches and complete corpectomy. Over a 2-year period, the patient showed no radiologic or clinical signs of local recurrence with excellent neurologic function. Solid-variant aneurysmal bone cysts are difficult to diagnose and treat, and careful clinical and radiologic assessment should be done to tailor an appropriate surgical plan to prevent recurrence and neurologic sequelae. To the best of our knowledge, there are to date no publications that studied the behavior of this subtype.

Solid variant aneurysmal bone cyst in the distal fibular metaphysis: radiologic and pathologic challenges to diagnosis

Solid variant aneurysmal bone cyst is a rare benign bone lesion, representing a small fraction of all aneurysmal bone cysts. The imaging appearance and histologic features may overlap with other benign and malignant neoplasms, posing a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians, pathologists, and radiologists. We present a case of solid variant aneurysmal bone cyst of the distal fibula and review the radiologic and histologic features important for diagnosis.