Treatment options of simple bone cysts: the role of bone substitutes, growth factors and literature review.

The solitary bone cyst is a typical tumor-like lesion of the immature skeleton, whose etio-pathogenesis is still unclear. The purpose of this work is to perform a review of the literature about the different surgical approaches focusing on the role of bone substitutes and growth factors. Literature analysis shows injection techniques of substances such as methylprednisolone, autologous bone marrow, demineralized bone matrix, calcium sulphate and surgical techniques that involve the resection and curettage associated with bone graft and/or intramedullary nailing. Although there are good results currently associated to these techniques and the different ways of treatment, the only evidence-based treatment is given by injections of steroids. However, given the high rate of failure, autologous bone marrow and platelet gel represent a viable therapeutic option.

Treatment of symptomatic para-articular intraosseous cysts by percutaneous injection of bone cement.

PURPOSE: To describe the technique and clinical outcome of percutaneous injection of bone cement in the treatment of symptomatic para-articular intraosseous cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five patients (three men, two women; mean age 35 years) with painful para-articular intraosseous cysts were treated by percutaneous injection of bone cement under combined fluoroscopic and computed tomography (CT) guidance. The lesions were all located in weight-bearing bones, involving the acetabulum, proximal tibia, distal tibia, talus, and calcaneus, respectively. RESULTS: The average amount of bone cement injected was 2.1 ml (range, 0.6-3.5 ml). Calcium phosphate cement was used in four cases and acrylic cement in one case. There were no immediate or delayed complications. Full pain relief was obtained between 1 and 4 weeks after treatment. All patients made a complete recovery and were pain-free at their last visit. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous injection of bone cement was a safe and efficient technique in the management of symptomatic para-articular intraosseous cysts in our population.

Recent developments in treatment for simple bone cysts.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this paper is to review treatment strategies for simple bone cysts (SBCs). RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have focused on disrupting the wall of the cyst in combination with injectable bone substitutes. Bone substitutes are minimally invasive, provide an osteoconductive scaffold, and are relatively easy to use. Many of these studies, however, have methodological issues (uncontrolled, not randomized, unblinded outcome assessment, or short-term follow-up) and inconsistent radiographic outcomes making it difficult to determine the benefits of these newer treatment strategies. SUMMARY: Based on a single randomized clinical trial, steroids are the only evidence-based treatment for SBCs. Further basic science is needed to understand the pathoetiology and to develop future biologic solutions. Multimodal treatment strategies with opening of the medullary canal and disruption of the cyst wall, filling defect with a bone substitute, and possible biologic treatment of the cyst membrane may be the best strategy. When considering cysts of the lower extremity, structural support may be required in addition to treatment of the cyst.

Traumatic bone cyst of the mandible in a 10-year-old boy.

Although rare, the presentation of mandibular cysts in children can be difficult for medical providers to recognize. We present a case of a 10-year-old boy who presented to our pediatric emergency department with a painful swelling of his chin on multiple occasions before the diagnosis of a traumatic mandibular bone cyst with superinfection was made. A review of the literature regarding the presentation and management of cystic lesions of the mandible in children is presented.

Maxillary bone epithelial cyst in an adult miniature schnauzer.

Maxillary bone epithelial cyst is rare in dogs. A 5-year-old, spayed female miniature schnauzer developed a swelling below the nasal canthus of left eye. Plain radiograph demonstrated a 1.5 cm diameter of radiolucent lesion on the maxillary bone anteroventral to the eye, and contrast dacryocystorhinography confirmed an obstructed nasolarcrimal duct. The swelling showed poor response to antibiotic treatment but responded well to oral prednisolone. Exploratory surgery revealed a cyst-like structure filled with brown serous fluid. Histopathological examination of the removed cyst revealed a double cuboidal epithelial cyst. The dog recovered rapidly after surgery, and the swelling had not recurred for a 36-month follow-up. It is the first case of periorbital bone epithelial cyst reported in an adult miniature schnauzer.

Use of a parathyroid hormone peptide (PTH(1-34))-enriched fibrin hydrogel for the treatment of a subchondral cystic lesion in the proximal interphalangeal joint of a warmblood filly.

To describe the treatment of a subchondral bone cyst in the proximal phalanx with parathyroid hormone peptide-enriched fibrin hydrogel in a warmblood filly. The cyst was localized with computer-assisted orthopaedic surgery, then curetted and finally filled with parathyroid hormone fragment peptide 1-34 (PTH(1-34)) covalently attached to a fibrin hydrogel. The cyst healed quickly without any complications. This result supports the hypothesis that PTH(1-34) delivered locally in a fibrin hydrogel may improve the postoperative prognosis of surgical management of subchondral bone cysts in horses. Subchondral bone cysts are fairly common in horses. Especially in older horses, the prognosis is poor, even after surgical curettage. Therefore, different management protocols have been investigated in conjunction with surgical curettage to improve prognosis. Locally delivered PTH(1-34) seems to be a new method in the treatment of subchondral bone cysts.