ANEURYSMAL BONE-CYST OF THE SPINE

The cases of 22 patients with an aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine above the sacrum were analyzed with regard to sex, age, site, symptoms and radiographic findings. Four patients had extension of the lesion to the adjacent vertebra or rib, and 12 patients had neurological deficits. The primary treatment was either radiotherapy or surgery alone, or surgery and radiotherapy combined. No recurrence were found in patients who were treated with surgery alone or with surgery and radiotherapy, while 3 of the 6 patients who were treated with radiotherapy had a local recurrence, 2 of which were fatal. The patients with neurological deficits recovered after healing of the cyst.