Abstract
Solitary bone cysts involving the axial skeleton are very unusual. Only seven cases of histologically proven solitary bone cyst involving the lumbar vertebra were found in literature.
We report a case of solitary bone cyst in an 18-year-old female patient with a 4-year history of persistent low back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scan showed a well defined osteolytic lesion in the vertebral body extending into the left laminae of the first lumbar vertebra. The patient underwent curettage of the tumor by the transpedicular approach. Intraoperative findings were suggestive of solitary bone cyst, because of the existence of cyst fluid. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically. The lesion was curetted, and the cavity was packed with ß-tricalcium phosphate. Postoperatively the patients backache was relieved and she returned to normal daily life. When a spinal cystic lesion is encountered, although uncommon, solitary bone cyst should be considered.
