Fluid-fluid levels detected on MRI and mimicking primary aneurismal bone cysts in a case of spinal bone metastasis

INTRODUCTION: Spinal bone metastases may be lytic or sclerotic lesions. Sometimes aneurismal bone cyst (ABC)-like areas (also called "secondary ABC") can be found in giant-cell tumors, osteoblastomas and chondroblastomas but are rare in metastatic tumors.

CASE REPORT: A retrospective study on 518 patients surgically treated for metastatic lesions of the spine from 1995 to 2012 was performed to evaluate the radiographic presentation. We propose a case report of a metastatic lesion associated with imaging features suggestive of aneurismal bone cyst. The patient was treated by intralesional surgery, after embolization of the lesion.

CONCLUSIONS: Fluid-fluid levels detected on imaging can be found in bone metastases and may be similar to a primary aneurismal bone cyst. Embolization of metastastic tumor was useful to help the surgeon.