[Aneurysmal bone cysts of the nasal cavity. Description of a case and review of the literature].
BACKGROUND
Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) are benign tumor-like lesions of the bone that occur at any age with a slight female predominance. The most common sites are long bones and vertebrae bodies.


METHODS
We report a case of 54 year-old man with nasal respiratory difficulty and a previous history of nasal fracture. RMN and TC-scan showed a voluminous nasal lesion, which was surgically removed. Tissue sample was formalin fixed (10%) and routinely processed to paraffin after decalcifying treatment (Osteodec, Bioptica). Section were stained with haematoxilin-eosin.


RESULTS
At histological level the lesion was characterized by multilocular cyst-like spaces filled with erythrocytes separated by connective septa lacking the smooth muscle walls and endothelial lining of normal vessels. Histological features are consistent with a diagnosis of ABC.


CONCLUSIONS
We report a case of ABC of nasal cavity. The previous history of nasal fracture and the fact that pre-existing or concurrent were not found lead us to suppose a relationship between the fracture and ABC. Teleangiectatic osteosarcoma, fibrous dysplasia and giant-cell tumor were excluded according to clinical and morphological features.
Campidelli
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C
Dipartimento clinico di Scienze Radiologiche ed Istocitopatologiche, Servizio di Anatomia ed Istologia patologica, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Università di Bologna.
Di Tommaso
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L
Zanetti
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017824:Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005357:Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone / Q000175:diagnosis; D005870:Giant Cell Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000473:pathology*; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000150:complications