A Simple Bone Cyst in Cervical Vertebrae of an Adolescent Patient

Abstract

Introduction Spinal simple bone cysts, also known as solitary cysts, are extremely unusual benign primary bone tumors with few cases reported in the literature. Case Presentation Incidental Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) finding of a C2 Simple bone cyst in a 13-year-old female patient is reported. Complementary studies suggested the benign nature of the lesion. Patient underwent cervical curettage followed by tumor excision. A lateral submandibular approach to the upper cervical spine was used and careful bone resection was possible with a radiofrequency assisted burr and no instrumentation or fixation was required. The stability of the defect was ensured by filling it with bone allograft and by prescribing a postsurgical plastic cervical collar to maintain neck immobilization. Histological examination supported the diagnosis of simple bone cyst. At 6–12-month follow-up the patient presented no recurrence or symptomatology. Conclusions Solitary bone cysts are infrequent entities in the cervical vertebrae and preservation of spine stability without instrumentation to avoid neurological complications is often challenging. In this case, the proximity of the cyst to the right vertebral artery and the risk of injury were high; however the surgical approach used was successful and no recurrence or instability was evidenced on postoperative MRI.

Clival simple bone cyst: Rare pathological entity (case report)

“…[ 14 ] Limited cases of simple cysts were detected in the cervical spine. [ 3 , 6 , 17 ] None of these cases were associated with a clival lesion. A simple bone cyst can be empty or filled with fluid;[ 12 ] usually, simple bone cysts are asymptomatic[ 14 , 15 ] and may go undetected until they reach a large size.…”

“…The recurrence rate in simple bone cysts is high especially in young patients; surgical intervention might be considered if the cysts were in unusual sites. [ 3 ] If simple bone cyst was identified in a flat bone, surgical management may not be required. [ 5 ]…”

A Bone Cyst in the Cervical Region of the Vertebral Column: A Report of a Rare Case

“…Simple bone cyst cases were treated by surgical curettage and bone graft without recurrence, according to Ogata et al [ 9 ]. Some authors have hypothesized a posttraumatic or posthemorrhagic etiology, which could explain the vertebral position, particularly in older people, as the source of solitary bone cysts [ 3 ]. The epiphyseal plate has been linked to tumor formation in children; however, in this case, the cyst's peculiar placement suggests that this etiology cannot be the cause.…”

“…The symptoms can vary widely, potentially causing anything from pain to neurological issues, primarily affecting long bones and vertebrae. Due to their proximity to neurovascular structures and the inherent instability in the cervical spine, complete excision typically yields good outcomes but can be challenging to execute [ 3 ].…”

Unilateral facet fixation as a salvage procedure: Report of two cases with cervical primary bone tumors with extensive bone destruction

“…Simple or solitary bone lesions are rare tumors and generally present in young adults and are infrequently seen in children. [ 7 ] They usually present as incidental lesions but often present with the sole symptom of local pain. A simple bone cyst presenting as an odontoid fracture has never been reported before.…”