Giant-cell tumor of bone and aneurysmal bone cyst

Abstract

A correlated histologic and radiographic study of nine giant-cell tumors, six aneurysmal bone cysts, and one combined lesion is presented. Clinical findings and plain radiographic appearances were found to overlap. Angiographically, the giant-cell tumors were richly vascularized, with a marked intratumoral contrast uptake, occasional irregular tumor vessles, a prominent peritumoral arterial net-work, and early draining veins. Microscopic examination revealed fine, capillary-like and somewhat larger, angulated, sinusoid vessels, and occasional small, bloodfilled cysts within the tumor. Conspicuous arteries, veins, and capillaries surrounded the tumor. The aneurysmal bone cysts at angiography were predominantly avascular in the interior, surrounded by a thin hyperemic zone in the peritumoral tissue, with sometimes early filling of veins. Microscopically, the aneurysmal bone cysts showed large, anastomosing, bloodfilled vascular channels, and a moderate number of capillaries within the solid, fibrous areas and the granulation tissue. It is concluded that angiography, particularly with a subtraction technique, may be a valuable diagnostic method in the pre-operative differentiation of giant-cell tumors from aneurysmal bone cysts.