Treatment of large recurrent aneurysmal bone cysts of mandible: transosseous intralesional embolization as an adjunct to resection

The aneurysmal bone cyst is an uncommon, but well described, bone lesion occurring most commonly in long bones, the pelvis and vertebrae. It is relatively rare in the maxillofacial region. Various treatment options have been proposed. The authors present three cases of recurrent, large aneurysmal bone cysts of the mandible successfully treated by en block resection and reconstruction using free fibula flap following diagnostic arteriography and preoperative transcutaneous intralesional embolization. Preoperative embolization produced a relatively blood-less field from which the tumour could be completely excised.