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Osteoclastic giant cells represent a common cellular component of lesions arising in bone. Highlighting this morphological finding, the current WHO classification of bone tumors defines a diagnostic group comprising aneurysmal bone cyst, giant cell tumor of bone and non-ossifying fibroma, which may display morphologic similarities while being distinct with regard to molecular and biological features. Starting with these tumors - putting a focus on lesions arising in bone - this article gives a survey of other (chondrogenic and osteogenic) tumors that frequently contain osteoclastic giant cells, which may, particularly in small biopsies, enter differential diagnosis. Overlapping features with selected giant cell-containing soft tissue tumors, which may be of differential diagnostic relevance in daily routine, are discussed., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Purpose: Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) of spine are conventionally treated with en-bloc resection or intralesional excision/curettage and reconstruction or filling of defects with bone cement. For the treatment of upper cervical ABCs, en-bloc resections are often not desirable considering the risk/benefit ratio while the risk of recurrence after intralesional excision is high. Hence, alternative management options are often necessary. We describe our clinical experience with one such treatment alternative-denosumab for the treatment of ABC of Atlas., Methods and Results: We present a case of 16-year-old boy who presented with neck pain and restriction of neck movements. A large lytic lesion with multiple fluid-fluid interfaces involving vertebral arch of atlas was identified on further imaging. There was destruction of right lateral mass and the lesion was found encasing the right vertebral artery. Core needle biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of ABC. With no visible CT response after first session of intra-lesional injection of Calcitonin and Methylprednisolone, the patient was treated with denosumab (120 mg SC once-a-month) for a period of 12 months. His symptoms resolved within 7 months of onset of treatment and serial CT scans over 12-month treatment period showed complete ossification of the lesion. Further there was no evidence of recurrence at 12 months after completion of treatment., Conclusion: Our case report contributes to the accruing evidence on the effectiveness of denosumab for the treatment of spinal ABCs. However, long-term safety, risk of recurrence, optimal duration of treatment and consistency of denosumab are yet to be determined.

Purpose: Aneurysmal bone cysts of the lumbar spine are usually treated by curettage followed by bone or bioactive ceramics grafting. Here, we present the first case of an aneurysmal bone cyst of the lumbar spine treated by percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD)., Methods: We describe the clinical characteristics of the patient including the radiological and pathological findings of the tumor and the surgical technique used., Results: A 15-year-old boy presented with low back pain, and he was diagnosed with an aneurysmal bone cyst of the L3 vertebra based on radiological findings, including plain radiograph, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The technique and equipment of PELD were used to perform curettage of the tumor cavity and fill it with hydroxyapatite granules. The skin incision was only 8 mm. The patient was discharged 1 day postoperatively and could walk without assistance. The postoperative course was uneventful and the symptoms improved following surgery., Conclusion: Endoscopic surgery via PELD can be a treatment option for ABCs of the lumbar spine.

Background: Benign bone lesions are much more common than malignant lesions. Some benign bone tumors have a characteristic and typical radiographic appearance, while others are more challenging. Therapy of benign bone tumors differs greatly. While the majority of benign bone tumors do not require surgical therapy, other specific lesions, e. g. aneurysmal bone cysts or giant cell tumors (GCT) of the bone require surgery due to their locally aggressive behavior., Diagnostics: The major challenge for the radiologist and/or pathologist is the differentiation between a benign and low-grade malignant lesion (e. g. enchondroma versus low-grade chondrosarcoma) for which all available clinical and radiographic information is mandatory. Therefore, surgical therapy is rather more often performed than necessary due to uncertainty in many cases., Therapy: Novel systemic therapies are available for fibrous dysplasia and GCT of the bone: Fibrous dysplasia can be treated with bisphosphonates, and GCT responds to denosumab. In fact, denosumab has been approved for the treatment of irresectable GCT. Osteoid osteoma is fairly easy to recognize and also to treat given the characteristic clinical presentation and rapid and effective response to local therapy (possible as percutaneous thermo-/laser ablation). In summary, several therapeutic options exist for benign bone tumors, and the choice depends upon the tendency/risk of local recurrence, the rate of surgical complications, options for defect reconstruction, postoperative functional deficits, and specific patient characteristics.

Introduction: Solid aneurysmal bone cyst (S-ABC) is a variant of aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC), an uncommon benign bone tumor. There are few cases described in the cervical spine in kids up today. We treated a recurrent case with neurological involvement that needed multiple surgical procedures and radiotherapy., Case Presentation: We report a case of C4 located S-ABC concerning a 2-year-old boy treated surgically by anterior and posterior approach. Three months after the initial procedure appearance of a tetraparesis led to diagnose a local recurrence treated by sclerotherapy and a second surgery. The patient had a full neurological recovery. Three months later, a follow-up CT scan showed a second recurrence requiring a new surgical revision by anterior approach and radiotherapy., Outcome: At 6-year follow-up after four surgical procedures, sclerotherapy and radiotherapy, the aneurysmal bone cyst has been healed. Patient had neurological impairment after a local recurrence but had full recovered after final revision surgery.

Introduction: Despite numerous descriptive publications, the nature, character, differential diagnosis and optimal treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs), remain obscure. The authors report a case of the solid variant of aneurysmal bone cyst (S-ABC) occurring in the posterior components and body of C7 vertebra focusing on the differential diagnosis and surgical treatment rationale., Case Report: Right shoulder and neck pain were the presenting symptoms of 9-year-old boy. Torticollis developed later on but no neurological deficit was found. Imaging revealed an osteolytic lesion with significant extraosseous extension. Although diagnosis favoured an ABC, imaging studies did not provide clear diagnostic criteria. CT guided biopsy performed preoperatively was also not directly diagnostic. Given that differential diagnoses included S-ABC but also giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone, decision was made to proceed with a staged, back and front, complete resection of the affected bony elements of C7. Preoperative spinal angiography showed supply to the tumor from the right ascending and deep cervical artery territories. Particle embolization was not performed due to the presence of ipsilateral supply to the anterior spinal artery at the C6 level and contralateral supply at the C7 level. Intraoperatively, histology taken from posterior elements, although again not clearly diagnostic, favoured S-ABC variant rather than GCT. Thus, initial plan was revised and anterior surgery was postponed as the extent of the dissection would have been dependent on the presumed diagnosis. The final histological report confirmed the diagnosis of an S-ABC. In view of this, it was decided to embolize the lesion to avoid a second stage anterior surgery. At embolization, repeat spinal angiography showed reduced tumor blush following the surgery. Distal branches of the deep cervical artery were occluded with platinum coils (avoiding the risks associated with the use of particles or liquid embolic agents). No further procedure was planned., Conclusion: Imaging and histological pattern of this specific type of ABC, differential diagnosis from GCT and the surgical protocol followed with the patient consist of an interesting case of revising the initial plan, according to the upcoming histological reports.

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) of the spine can cause acute spinal cord compression in young patients. We report the CT and MRI findings in a histology-proven case of spinal ABC presenting with sudden paraplegia. Typical features of a spinal ABC at the thoracic level with considerable extension into the posterior epidural space and cord compression were demonstrated. Special note was made of the disproportionately large longitudinal extent of the epidural component of the lesion. Associated vertebral collapse was absent. A fracture of the overlying cortex had probably allowed the lesion to decompress and track along the epidural space without significantly jeopardizing integrity of the osseous structures. This case illustrates a less frequently recognised mechanism of acute spinal cord compression by ABC.

Aneurysmal bone cysts in the skull vault are reported in two patients 7 and 9 years old, who presented with vomiting and headaches caused by raised intracranial pressure. CT showed the cystic lesion in the diploë, with predominantly inward expansion. Fluid-fluid levels were seen on both CT and MRI; the latter also showed bleeding within the cyst. MR angiography showed compression of the superior sagittal sinus in the second case.

An aneurysmal bone cyst is a tumor-simulating bone lesion, the etiology of which is still unclear and probably inhomogeneous. This type of lesion is mainly observed during the second decade of life and is rarely diagnosed beyond the age of 30 years. It is characterized by hollow spaces consisting of several compartments filled with blood and partially divided by septs consisting of spindle-cell tissue with ample multinuclear giant cells and frequent reactive new bone formation. The locations of preference are the metaphyses of the long bones, the spine and flat bones; however, they can appear in every sort of bone. The radiological picture is characterized by osteolytic expansion of the bone with more or less distinct formation of trabeculae. In the CT image we can often find fluid formation; in MRT images alteration of signals can also be seen, indicating former or fresh bleeding. The primary aneurysmal bone cyst should be distinguished from its secondary counterpart; the latter one is occasionally found in giant cell tumors, chondroblastomas, chondromyxoid-fibromas, osteoblastomas, but also in osteosarcomas. When planning biopsy or therapy, this possibility should be also taken into account. The therapy of choice consists of accurate curettage and autologous or allogenous bone transplantation. To avoid recurrences, curettage should be followed by adjuvant therapy with phenol or cryotherapy. When there are extensive recurrences that can no longer be treated by the surgical method described above, embolization of the nutrient vessels may be curative.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)