Management of aneurysmal bone cyst of proximal femur with a pathologic intertrochanteric femur fracture with an intramedullary nail and bone graft: A case report

Abstract

Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a benign tumor like lesion that is an expanding osteolytic lesion consisting of blood-filled spaces of variable size separated by connective tissue septa containing trabeculae or osteoid tissue and osteoclast giant cells. Nearly 95% occur in the first three decades. Aneurysmal bone cysts are benign active or aggressive bone lesions that commonly arise in the metaphysis of long bones, especially the femur, tibia and humerus. They are extremely rare, occurring in 1.5 per one million people per year. And usually present with pain, swelling or fracture. We report a case of a giant aneurysmal bone cyst in the proximal femur with a pathologic Inter-trochentric femur fracture in a 23 year old male patient which was treated with a proximal femur nail and curettage and bone grafting of the lesion in the proximal femur. At 18 months follow-up, the lesion had subsided and patient was walking pain-free with full range of motion without any deformity. We suggest this method of treatment to be worthwhile for a pathologic fracture of an ABC at proximal femur.