Giant-cell tumors and aneurysmal bone cysts of ribs in childhood

Cystic or solid lesions of ribs containing giant cells are rarely seen in children. Three cases are presented which are uncommon with regard to the age of the patients (5-14 yr old) as well as the site. These lesions were diagnosed late and exclusively by X-ray. Radiographically it was impossible to distinguish between a giant cell tumor and an aneurysmal bone cyst. Although the distinction of aneurysmal bone cysts and giant cell tumors sensu strictiori is justified from a clinical point of view, the two may be variants of the same pathologic growth process, i.e. growth of angiogribous tissue with giant cells in excess of that generally observed in the course of a "reactive" process.