Rajeev Kumar Roy1, Mahesh Prasad2
BACKGROUND
Unicameral Bone Cyst (UBC) is described as a central metaphyseal cystic lesion of the bone with serum fluid content. Diagnosis is typically based on x-ray imaging features, age, localisation at proximal humerus and femur and the absence of symptoms until pathological fracture development.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eighteen patients with unicameral bone cysts were reviewed in Nalanda Medical College Hospital. Nine patients received serial steroid injections and the other nine patients were treated conservatively following fractures. In the steroid injection group, six cases were in the proximal femur and three in the proximal humerus.
RESULTS
The nine steroid injection patients showed radiological evidence of cyst healing within four months of treatment. Subsequently, all 9 patients showed a satisfactory radiological outcome after a year and complete resolution after 2 years. In the conservative group, all 9 cases were in the proximal humerus. Persistent cystic lesions were observed in all 9 patients and 2 was complicated by another fracture within 6 months.
CONCLUSION
Fractures through UBC in the upper extremity can be treated nonoperatively. However, steroid injection is an effective option to hasten healing and should be considered as a primary treatment of unicameral bone cyst.
