title: Results of a minimally invasive technique for treatment of unicameral bone cysts.
abstract: Unicameral bone cysts are benign bone lesions commonly seen in pediatric patients. Several treatment methods have been described with variable results and high recurrence rates. We previously reported short-term success of a minimally invasive technique that includes combining percutaneous decompression and grafting with medical-grade calcium sulfate pellets. The purpose of this study was to review the additional long-term results with a minimum followup of 24 months (average, 37 months; range, 24-70 months). We identified 55 patients with an average age of 10.8 years (range, 1.3-18 years). Forty-one of 55 lesions occurred in the humerus and femur. Forty-four of 55 (80%) patients had a partial or complete response after initial surgery; of these, seven obtained a partial or complete response after a repeat surgery (cumulative healing rate, 94%). Two patients underwent a third surgery (cumulative healing rate, 98%). One underwent a third repeat surgery (cumulative healing rate, 100%). There were no major complications associated with the procedure. Two patients had a superficial infection that resolved with oral antibiotics. Although some patients required a repeat procedure, complete or partial response at a minimum 24 months' followup was achieved in all patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Istanbul Cerrahi Hastanesi, Istanbul, Turkey. gokcemik@hotmail.com
authors: Gökçe
authors: G
authors: Mik
authors: Alexandre
authors: A
authors: Arkader
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Manteghi
authors: John P
authors: JP
authors: Dormans
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001845:Bone Cysts / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D011884:Radius / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome