The cases of twenty-two patients with an aneurysmal bone cyst of the
spine above the sacrum were analyzed with regard to sex, age, site,
symptoms, and radiographic findings. Four patients had extension of the
lesion to the adjacent vertebra or rib, and twelve patients had
neurological deficits. The primary treatment was either radiotherapy or
surgery alone, or surgery and radiotherapy combined. No recurrences were
found in patients who were treated with surgery alone or with surgery and
radiotherapy, while three of the six patients who were treated with
radiotherapy had a local recurrence, two of which were fatal. The patients
with neurological deficits recovered after healing of the cyst.