Turkish Neurosurgery
2009 , Vol 19 , Num 2
Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Sphenoid Bone Extending into the Ethmoid Sinus, Nasal Cavity and Orbita in a Child
Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Kartal Reseach and Training Hospital, Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
An aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) typically involves the long bones of the
extremities, thorax, pelvis, or vertebrae. Skull base involvement is rare. We
describe the case of a 9-year-old girl with ABC of the skull base. The patient had
presented with nasal obstruction and headache over a period of approximately 8
months. The patient had no history of trauma or surgery. Physical and
neurological examination findings normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
showed a multicystic lesion arising from the sphenoid sinus and extending into
ethmoid sinus, superior nasal cavity and medial walls of the orbit. The lesion
contained thin internal septations that revealed high signal characteristics on all
sequences. The lesion was resected via an extended frontal approach without
any complications. Histological evaluation confirmed that the lesion was an
ABC. The patient did not receive postoperative radiotherapy. No recurrence was
observed after 22 months. ABC should be considered in the differential diagnosis
of bone neoplasms in this region.
Keywords :
Aneurysmal bone cyst, Sphenoid sinus, Ethmoid sinus, Superior nasal cavity, Orbita, Skull base