Large aneurysmal bone cyst of iliac bone in a female child: a case report

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic aneurysmal bone cysts in pediatric age group with an expansile lesion in ilium is a rare occurrence. CASE: An 11-year-old female presented with a swelling over her right iliac region and numbness along the medial aspect of thigh. Clinicoradiological diagnosis was aneurysmal bone cyst confirmed on fine needle aspiration cytology. Excision curettage (wide margin excision of the soft tissue tumor and intralesional curettage in the region of acetabulum) of the tumor was performed in view of proximity to acetabular roof and endangered hip stability. RESULT: At follow up of 18 months, the child has full painless range of movements in the hip joint with no recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Pelvic aneurysmal bone cysts are distinctly rare in pediatric age. The lesion was associated with an atypical symptom of numbness along the femoral nerve distribution. Hip stability and range of movements were major concern in this patient. Although many treatment options are described, surgical excision still remains the mainstay. In our case, we performed excision curettage, with good outcome.