Aneurysmal bone cyst of the frontal bone - A radiologic-pathologic correlation

J Radiol Case Rep. 2018 Jul 31;12(7):16-24. doi: 10.3941/jrcr.v12i7.3344. eCollection 2018 Jul.

Abstract

We present a case of 27-year-old female who presented for a progressive frontal swelling with ipsilateral headache. Subsequent CT scan revealed an extradural and expansile multiloculated mass with thin and strongly enhanced septations and MRI evaluation showed internal hyperintensity on T2 with no restriction of diffusion and confirmed the multiple cystic spaces with enhancing septations and rare hemorrhagic fluid-fluid levels. Surgery was performed and diagnosis of aneurysmal bone cyst was made on frozen section. Identification of USP6 fusion gene by in situ hybridization technique permitted to confirm the diagnosis of primary ABC. Although aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) of the skull is a very rare entity and accounts for 2-6% of all ABCs, we should think about it in front of osteolytic and cystic skull changes even with very few fluid-fluid levels. Following description of our case and differential diagnoses, we conduct a literature review of skull ABCs imaging characteristics and discuss the interest of USP6 rearrangement identification.

Keywords: ABC; CT and MRI findings; Frontal aneurysmal bone cyst; USP6 rearrangement; histopathologic correlation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal / complications
  • Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal / pathology*
  • Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal / surgery
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Female
  • Frontal Bone / diagnostic imaging*
  • Frontal Bone / pathology*
  • Frontal Bone / surgery
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Prognosis
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed