The Role of Preoperative Embolization in the Management of Aneurysmal Bone Cyst: A Comparative Analysis

Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of preoperative embolization in the management of aneurysmal bone cysts. Methods In this study, the data of a total of 19 patients, 11 females and 8 males, with a mean age of 19.6 (range 5–46 years), who were operated on in our hospital with the diagnosis of ABC between January 2015 and January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. In the specified date range, there were 10 patients with a diagnosis of ABC who were operated on within 48 h after preoperative embolization. For statistical comparison, 9 patients who were operated on without embolization in the same date range were included as the control group. Results The mean age of the study group was 16.7 (between 5 and 27 years), while the mean age of the control group was 22.6 (between 16 and 46 years). In the embolization group (group I), the mean intraoperative blood loss was 550 mL (100–1200 mL), the mean intraoperative blood transfusion was 270 mL (0–900 mL), and the mean surgical time was 85 min. In the non-embolization group (group II), the mean intraoperative blood loss was 1250 mL (600–2200 mL), the mean intraoperative blood transfusion was 450 mL (450–1800 mL), and the mean surgical time was 90 min. In comparison, a statistically significant difference was found between the embolization group and the non-embolization group in terms of blood loss and blood transfusion requirement ( p = 0.011 and p = 0.017, respectively). The mean surgery time was slightly shorter in the embolized group, and there was no significant difference in surgical time between the two groups ( p = 0.821). Conclusion Evidence suggests that preoperative embolization of an aneurysmal bone cyst, performed 0–48 h before surgery, can result in a reduction in intraoperative blood loss and intraoperative blood transfusion volume.