Surgical management of a multilevel thoracolumbar aneurysmal bone cyst

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are rare bone tumors that can affect the spine. This case reports on a teenage male with an ABC spanning multiple levels of the spine, which is uncommon. Due to the extensive nature of the cyst and its proximity to the spinal cord, the patient underwent a two-stage surgical procedure to remove the cyst and stabilize the spine. The patient recovered well after surgery and reported no new symptoms or pain after 12 months, though mobility was reduced.

• 1
  The patient presented with back pain, paresthesias, and a mildly spastic gait due to a multilevel thoracolumbar ABC extending from T12-L1.
• 2
  A two-stage surgical approach involving posterior decompression, laminectomy, facetectomies, pedicle-based instrumentation, vertebrectomy, and anterior stabilization was performed.
• 3
  Gross total resection was achieved, and the patient maintained full neurological function after the procedure.