Arterial embolization of a secondary aneurysmatic bone cyst of the thoracic spine prior to surgical excision in a 15-year-old girl.

We report on a 15-year-old girl with a secondary aneurysmatic bone cyst of the thoracic spine with extension into the spinal canal on the basis of an osteoblastoma. Surgical treatment was facilitated by preoperative embolization of the highly-vascular tumor. Excision of the tumor was performed without extensive intraoperative blood loss. Following excision, transpedicular-stabilization of the spinal column was achieved using a fixateur intern. We conclude that superselective embolization of benign lesions of the spinal column constitutes a feasible means of reducing intraoperative bleeding complications, thus enhancing resectability.