Rare Aneurysmal Bone Cyst Presentation in the Orbit: A Systematic Review of the Literature with an Illustrative Case Report

<black square> OBJECTIVE: Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are benign but aggressive vascular lesions within bone. Orbital ABCs, though rare, are clinically significant due to the risk of debilitating symptoms such as vision loss. <black square> METHODS: Our systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and SCOPUS databases to identify and assess primary articles exploring orbital ABC cases. Additionally, we present an illustrative case report. <black square> RESULTS: Among the 54 cases from the 51 studies included, the mean age was 16.87 years, with 23 males, 29 females, and 2 unspecified. The most prevalent symptoms were exophthalmos (N = 36) and diplopia (N = 21). Regarding laterality, the right orbit was most commonly affected (N = 27), followed by the left orbit (N = 21), with 4 cases of bilateral involvement. Within the orbit, the medial wall most frequently impacted location (N = 14), followed by the orbital roof (N = 13), posterior wall (N = 7), lateral wall (N = 3), and orbital floor (N = 2), with 15 cases involving multiple locations. Surgical resection was the primary treatment, resulting in complete resolution in 44 cases. In our case, a 30- year-old male with an orbital ABC was managed surgically through bifrontal craniotomy with superior orbitotomy for lesion excision and orbital roof reconstruction. <black square> CONCLUSIONS: ABCs in the orbit can be challenging, and complete removal of the lesion is essential for achieving optimal patient outcomes.