Malignant transformation of aneurysmal bone cyst, with an analysis of the literature.

An 11-year-old girl had a lytic, benign-appearing, expansive lesion of the distal tibia radiologically interpreted as an aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC). Tissue from two extensive curettage procedures was also histologically diagnosed as ABC. Approximately 50 months after the onset of symptoms, and 28 months after her last curettage, a highly pleomorphic osteosarcoma developed. The patient had not received prior radiation therapy. The cases in the literature of possible malignant transformation of ABC are reviewed. The authors separate their case from telangiectatic osteosarcoma, and from "aneurysmal bone cyst-like osteosarcoma."