title: Cervical spondyloptosis caused by an aneurysmal bone cyst: a case report.
abstract: METHODS
  The case of an 11-year-old patient with an aneurysmal bone cyst at C7, cervical spondyloptosis, and scoliosis of the lumbar spine is reported.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe an unusual presentation of aneurysmal bone cyst causing painless cervical spondyloptosis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Aneurysmal bone cysts of the cervical spine are rare. There has never been a reported case of cervical dislocation by an aneurysmal bone cyst. This case highlights the potentially devastating effects that can be caused by benign tumors in the vertebral column.
  
  
  METHODS
  The history, clinical examination, imaging findings, and treatment are reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient was treated with a single-stage combined posteroanteroposterior operation to resect the tumor, reduce the cervicothoracic dislocation, and create a three-column stabilization of the spine. The results were satisfactory, with an improvement in neurology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aneurysmal bone cysts should be considered in the etiology of complicated scoliosis. Patients with a benign clinical history should be investigated at an early stage using appropriate imaging. Surgery is the treatment of choice when stability of the spine is compromised and neurologic signs are present.
authors.affiliation: Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom. garneti@hotmail.com
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Garneti
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: El Gamal
authors.forename: D Annesley
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: I W
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Sandemon
mesh_terms: D017824:Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed