Aneurysmal bone cyst and osteoblastoma: an extremely rare combination in the pediatric spine

Study design: Case report.

Objective: To report the clinical and imaging findings of a patient with the extremely rare association of aneurysmal bone cyst and osteoblastoma in the cervical spine. To our knowledge, only three cases have been reported in the published literature in children under 16 years of age with this condition in the cervical spine.

Methods: The patient's history, physical examination, imaging findings, and management with a complete 4-year medical history, surgical intervention and radiological follow-up are reported.

Results: A 4-year 11-month-old boy was diagnosed with aneurysmal bone cyst in association of osteoblastoma and was treated with CT-guided intralesional injection calcitonin and methylprednisolone. During the course of intralesional therapy, a pathological fracture of C2 was produced. Subsequently, a widened intralesional excision and instrumented fusion from occiput to cervical spine (C0-C4) was performed.

Conclusion: The association of aneurysmal bone cyst and osteoblastoma in spine is extremely rare. Although both are benign lesions, in the cervical location, complete removal of the tumors is challenging. Wide resection with reconstruction of the segments for stability associated with adjuvant treatment with calcitonin and corticosteroids provides a good option.