OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of surgical treatment and prognosis of aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) in mobile spine.

METHODSA total of 12 patients with ABC were operated on from 1996 to 2006, and the clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. The patients included 7 male and 5 female, aged from 16 to 52 years (mean, 29 years). Surgical interventions were selected according to WBB criteria. Seven patients underwent total spondylectomy, four underwent resection of posterior arch, one patient received sagittal resection only. Anti-poster or post-lateral approach reconstruction with bone-graft or bone cement and transpedicular screws fixation were performed in the cases. Eight cases received radiotherapy after the operation.

RESULTSThe mean operation blood lose was 3210 ml. The patients were followed-up for 10 to 116 months (mean, 41.8 months). Seven patients got complete recover of spinal cord function, 4 patients experienced local recurrence in 1-2 years post operation. One patient died of multiple metastasis of chondrosarcoma after radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONSABC in spine is an aggressive disease with high local recurrence rate. Enbloc if possible provides the best result, with excellent prognosis. Radiotherapy should be selected carefully.