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

Authors

  • Anne-Laure Hermann
  • Marc Polivka
  • Marie-Pierre Loit
  • Jean-Pierre Guichard
  • Valérie Bousson

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v12i7.3344

Keywords:

Frontal aneurysmal bone cyst, ABC, CT and MRI findings, histopathologic correlation, USP6 rearrangement

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.

Author Biographies

Anne-Laure Hermann

Department of Skeletal and visceral Radiology, MD

Marc Polivka

Department of Anatomopathology, MD

Marie-Pierre Loit

Department of Neurosurgery, MD

Jean-Pierre Guichard

Department of Neuroradiology, MD

Valérie Bousson

Department of Skeletal and visceral Radiology, PhD

Published

2018-07-28

Issue

Section

Musculoskeletal Radiology