title: Selective arterial Embolisation of Aneurysmal Bone Cysts of the Sacrum: a promising Alternative to Surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The sacrum is a rare but unfavourable location for Aneurysmal Bone Cysts (ABCs), surgical procedures aiming to achieve local tumour control can be mutilating. Aim of this study was to evaluate whether selective arterial embolisation (AE) of ABC of the sacrum is an effective treatment and might be an alternative to surgical treatment options.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2007 and 2011 six patients (mean age 13.7 years, range 8 - 18 years) with an ABC of the sacrum were treated by AE. Follow-up was performed by MRI-scans as well as clinical examination (mean 36.5 months, range 14 - 56 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No treatment related complications have been observed. AE resulted in devascularisation of ABC and led to local tumour control in all patients. A partial consolidation was noticed in three patients. Pain relief was achieved in five of six patients, neurological deficits dissolved. In two patients more than one embolization was necessary. In one of these patients due to exacerbation of pain a surgical decompression was performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AE of sacral ABCs can serve as an effective and safe treatment option. Thus it might be an alternative to potentially harmful surgical procedures. In case of ongoing tumour growth or pain recurrence AE can be repeated. In case of treatment failure surgical interventions are still possible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • transarterial embolisation enables local tumour control in sacral ABCs. • transarterial embolisation of sacral ABCs is a safe procedure. • in case of tumour progression repetitive embolisations are possible and effective.
authors.affiliation: General Orthopaedics and Tumororthopaedics, University Hospital Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Henrichs
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.affiliation: General Orthopaedics and Tumororthopaedics, University Hospital Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gosheger
authors.affiliation: General Orthopaedics and Tumororthopaedics, University Hospital Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Streitbuerger
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koehler
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Heindel
authors.affiliation: General Orthopaedics and Tumororthopaedics, University Hospital Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hardes
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Radiology, University Hospital Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vieth
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017824:Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012447:Sacrum; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome