Surgical Excision of Thoracic Osteoblastoma with Secondary Aneurysmal Bone Cyst from a 12-Year-Old Child

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Osteoblastoma is a primary benign tumour which commonly presents in the younger population during the second decade of life. However, more aggressive osteoblastomas may present with features of aneurysmal bone cyst, and these can occur at uncommon locations. <b><i>Case Presentation:</i></b> We report the case of a 12-year-old child having an osteoblastoma on the left side of T11 with secondary aneurysmal bone cyst presenting with neurological deficits and myelopathic symptoms. Surgical debulking of the lesion with decompression laminectomy and posterior instrumentation of the spine was performed. The child is currently recovering well with improvement of neurological deficits. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> Osteoblastoma with aneurysmal bone cyst of the thoracic spine is a rare condition with few reports in the literature, and surgical intervention with complete excision has been demonstrated here with recovery of neurological function.