Giuseppe Rossi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Eugenio Rimondi MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Giancarlo Facchini, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Paolo Spinnato MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Patrizia Pelotti, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Teresa Calabro, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Pietro Ruggieri, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Daniel Vanel MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Alberto Bazzocchi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To emphasize the role of arterial embolization with N-2 butyl cyanoacrylate as single and resolving treatment for ABC. We evaluated the effectiveness and complications of the procedure in 75 patients at the “Rizzoli Institute”.

From April 2003 until April 2013, 75 patients with ABC were treated (41 males and 34 females, range 3 - 40 years). Each case was histologically proven. Twenty-four were sited in the appendicular skeleton (5 in the superior and 19 in the inferior limb), 8 affecting the thoracic cage (1 rib, 3 clavicle and 4 scapula), 28 in the pelvis and 15 in the spine (8 sacral, 4 lumbar, 3 thoracic). In 50 patients (66%) only one embolization was performed, two embolization in 18 patients (24%) and three in the remaining 7 cases (18%), for a total of 107 procedures.

Regardless of the number of the embolizations, the treatment was effective in 69 patients (92%): medium follow-up 59 months ± 12 months. In four patients the procedure was not finalised for anatomical concerns. In two patients needing integrative embolization treatment was shifted to surgery because of skin necrosis (clinical decision) or patient’s choice. In the 107 procedures, there were three complications (3%): two skin necrosis and one transient pharesis. However all the complications were solved one after surgical support.

Arterial embolization is the treatment of choice for aneurysmal bone cysts. The use of cyanoacrylate seems to be determinant for the excellent outcome of embolization, allowing permanent effect and well-controlled procedure. Embolization is less invasive, cheaper, simpler, faster, more secure for skilled operators and it is easily repeatable.

In the past Aneurismal Bone Cyst (ABC) was treated surgically or with a combination of surgery and embolization. Nowadays the sole embolization with N-2 butyl cyanoacrylate is the gold standard.

Rossi, G, Rimondi, E, Facchini, G, Spinnato, P, Pelotti, P, Calabro, T, Ruggieri, P, Vanel, D, Bazzocchi, A, Selective Arterial Embolization of Aneurysmal Bone Cyst (ABC) of the Skeleton with N-2 Butyl Cyanoacrylate: Revisited Results, Recurrences and Outcomes in 75 Patients.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13016627.html