Paediatric aneurysmal bone cysts of the head and neck

To provide an up to date review of the literature on aneurysmal bone cysts, including their diagnosis, pathology, pathophysiology, radiology and management. Retrospective review of six cases over a 15-year period. Six patients (age range, eight months to 17 years; mean, 9.6 years) presented with an aneurysmal bone cyst in the mandible (n = 3), maxilla (n = 2) or occipital soft tissue (n = 1). Each patient underwent primary excision, with one subsequent recurrence. Aneurysmal bone cysts are benign but locally destructive entities which may occasionally present to otolaryngologists, since they can involve the head and neck region, in particular the mandible.