**3.2 Characteristics of aneurysmal bone cyst**

ABC is considered as uncommon benign nonneoplastic vascular lesion of the bones characterized by the presence of numerous blood-filled, usually nonepithelized cystic cavities. It is rapidly expanding and locally destructive [6].

#### **3.3 The name of aneurysmal bone cyst**

ABC is misnomer, as these lesions are neither aneurysmal in origin nor truly cystic in histopathology, with no endothelial wall. Instead, these are benign expansile lesions, within the bone, forming cavities that are filled with blood and lined by proliferative fibroblasts, giant cells, and trabecular bone [7].

### **3.4 Demographics of aneurysmal bone cyst**

It is found mostly during childhood and adolescence, with median age of 13 years. About 90% of the ABCs lesions are found prior to age of 30. ABCs are more common in female patients, with male to female ratio of 1:1.6 [7, 8].

#### **3.5 The origin of aneurysmal bone cyst**

ABC typically originated from the long bones. It represents 1–2% of all primary tumors of the bone, occurring primarily in the metaphysis of long bones and vertebrae [8]. The ABC lesions typically involve long tubular bones. Between 3 and 12% of ABCs are found in the head and neck where they most commonly arise in the mandible or maxilla [3, 4]. Guida et al. [9] report that lesions involving the skull comprise 3–6% of all ABCs. Very few have ever been reported in the paranasal sinuses and are exceptionally rare in the pediatric population. Although they have been reported in the maxilla, mandible, cranium, orbital roof, temporal bone, and sphenoid bone, involvement of ethmoid sinuses as in our case is extremely rare [4]. Only 13 such cases of involvement of ethmoid sinuses were reported in the English literatures.

#### **3.6 The pathogenesis of aneurysmal bone cyst**

ABC's pathogenesis is obscure. Historically, it was believed that ABC resulted from increased venous pressure that is causing extravasation of cellular and blood contents into cyst-like voids in the bone [3]. More recent work showed that identification of a genetic driver—a translocation-induced upregulation of the ubiquitin-specific protease USP6 (Tre2) gene—defined at least a subset of ABCs to be a primary neoplasm [10].

#### **3.7 Other associated bone pathologies**

ABC is generally solitary and thought to arise as primary neoplasm as a result of translocation. On the other hand, ABCs may be found as secondary lesions, in the presence of other benign bone lesions such as non-ossifying fibroma, giant-cell granuloma, fibrous dysplasia, and fibromyxomas [1, 11, 12].

#### **4. Aneurysmal bone cyst in sino-nasal region**

ABC's involvement of ethmoid sinuses is extremely rare [4]. Only 13 such cases of involvement of ethmoid sinuses were reported in the English literatures. The mean age at debut in ethmoid ABCs is around 11.6 years with patient age ranging from 11 months to 20 years [3].

#### **4.1 Clinical presentation**

The diagnosis of an ABC from clinical aspect can be challenging with variable clinical presentation. Clinical presentation is highly dependent on the location of the ABC. The most common presentation of ABC in sino-nasal region relates to the presence of the expansile sockets against lamina papyracea [13]. The patient can be presented with nasal obstruction and/or facial heaviness. Epistaxis is a relatively rare presentation, since it has been reported in literatures in only two cases [3]. In the review by Hnenny et al. [14], they report that lesions affecting the skull base are more likely to present with neurological deficits including anosmia, ataxia, otalgia, facial numbness, and hearing loss.

#### **4.2 Radiological diagnosis**

Imaging studies, namely, CT scan and MRI, are essential to help with diagnosis and to plan the surgical procedure needed. ABC demonstrates the presence of

**95**

*Aneurysmal Bone Cyst in Sino-nasal Region DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84939*

projected from larger cysts [13].

**4.3 Definitive diagnosis**

**4.4 Treatment**

radiotherapy [13].

**5. Conclusion**

**4.5 Prognosis and recurrence**

level in CT scan is encountered.

expansile, lucent bony lesion surrounded by osseous remodeling and cortical thinning in CT scan [15]. In MRI images, ABC showed as multiple fluid-fluid levels of varying signal intensities. Although the fluid levels seen are nonspecific, the fact that fluid is trapped in multiple separate cavities is suggestive of ABC in both CT scan and MRI [16]. The signal characteristics are also dependent on the age of any blood products within the lesion. Other MRI features include the presence of multiple internal septations and a "soap bubble" appearance due to the presence of small cysts

Despite all the imaging appearances suggestive of ABC, histological confirmation is essential for diagnosis. Histological evaluation of the suspected lesion is mandatory for diagnosing ABCs accurately. Ultimately, histological evaluation is key, and ABCs typically demonstrate irregular, blood-filled chambers with islands of bone and fibrous tissue [17]. In gross appearance, ABCs are spongy, hemorrhagic masses covered by a thin shell of the reactive bone. Microscopically, ABCs showed abundant red blood cells with pale brown hemosiderin that is filling cyst-like spaces and bounded by septal proliferations of fibroblasts, with mitotically active spindle cells, osteoid, calcifications, and scattered multinucleated giant cells [18]. The principal diagnostic error occurs if the histologist fails to appreciate the lining of the blood-filled spaces [2].

The treatment of choice for ABCs is complete surgical resection, with endoscopic sinus surgery becoming the gold standard of management of aneurysmal bone cyst. Complete clearance of ABC is sometimes impossible especially at the skull base. In difficult extensive cases, further surgical procedures to debulk the lesion may be needed. Radiotherapy has been reported in cranial ABCs for refractory cases in adults. Radiotherapy has a limited success with an accepted risk of sarcomatous degeneration [9]. However, as there is a paucity of information for ethmoidal lesions particularly in children, there exists no clear consensus for

Patients needed to be followed up for quite long time with no specific adequate follow-up time reported in literatures [19]. ABCs are aggressive benign lesions with high rates of recurrence rendering its treatment uniquely challenging [20]. Recurrence can have occurred in up to 26% of cases more in jaws with most of the

Aneurysmal bone cyst is a benign, nonneoplastic lesion that presents most frequently under the age of 20 years. The metaphysis of long bones is the usual site of origin. Although the involvement of the skull is rare (2.5–6% of such cases reported in the literature), the skull vault is more often the site than the skull base. Benign ABCs are locally destructive entities which may occasionally present to otolaryngologists, since they can involve the head and neck region. ABC should be suspected, if a cystic mass in nasal cavity that is rapidly growing with fluid-fluid

recurrences seem to occur within 1 year of surgical treatment [3].

#### *Aneurysmal Bone Cyst in Sino-nasal Region DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.84939*

expansile, lucent bony lesion surrounded by osseous remodeling and cortical thinning in CT scan [15]. In MRI images, ABC showed as multiple fluid-fluid levels of varying signal intensities. Although the fluid levels seen are nonspecific, the fact that fluid is trapped in multiple separate cavities is suggestive of ABC in both CT scan and MRI [16]. The signal characteristics are also dependent on the age of any blood products within the lesion. Other MRI features include the presence of multiple internal septations and a "soap bubble" appearance due to the presence of small cysts projected from larger cysts [13].
