Aneurysmal bone cyst of the spine in an adolescent: a case report.

Aneurysmal bone cysts are often localized in long bones of the lower extremity and are characterized by aggressive expansion with local destruction of bone. We present the case of a 14-year-old female patient with a two weeks history of low dorsal pain. Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the spine showed local destruction of the 10 th thoracic vertebra and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 50 percent compression of the spinal cord. The partly septated and partly solid cystic tumour in the 10 th tho racic vertebra was resected and a dorsal spondylode sis stabilised the thoracic spine. Aneurysmal bone cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unspecific pain of the spine. Follow-up examina tions after three, five and twelve months did not show signs of recurrence.