Treatment of active unicameral bone cysts with percutaneous injection of demineralized bone matrix and autogenous bone marrow

BACKGROUND: The treatment of unicameral bone cysts varies from open bone-grafting procedures to percutaneous injection of corticosteroids or bone marrow. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of percutaneous injection of a mixture of demineralized bone matrix and autogenous bone marrow for the treatment of simple bone cysts. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with an active unicameral bone cyst were treated with trephination and injection of allogeneic demineralized bone matrix and autogenous bone marrow. The patients were followed for an average of fifty months (range, thirty to eighty-one months), at which time pain, function, and radiographic signs of resolution of the cyst were assessed. RESULTS: The average time until the patients had pain relief was five weeks, and the average time until the patients returned to full, unrestricted activities was six weeks. Bone-healing at the site of the injection was first seen radiographically at three to six months. No patient had a pathologic fracture during this early bone-healing stage. Cortical remodeling was seen radiographically by six to nine months, and after one year the response was usually complete, changing very little from then on. Five patients required a second injection because of recurrence of the cyst, and all five had a clinically and radiographically quiescent cyst after an average of thirty-six additional months of follow-up. Seven of the twenty-three patients had incomplete healing manifested by small, persistent radiolucent areas within the original cyst. None of these cysts increased in size or resulted in pain or fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous injection of allogeneic demineralized bone matrix and autogenous bone marrow is an effective treatment for unicameral bone cysts.     

Unicameral bone cysts treated by injection of bone marrow or methylprednisolone

In 79 consecutive patients with unicameral bone cysts we compared the results of aspiration and injection of bone marrow with those of aspiration and injection of steroid. All were treated by the same protocol. The only difference was the substance injected into the cysts. The mean radiological follow-up to detect activity in the cyst was 44 months (12 to 108). Of the 79 patients, 14 received a total of 27 injections of bone marrow and 65 a total of 99 injections of steroid. Repeated injections were required in 57% of patients after bone marrow had been used and in 49% after steroid. No complications were noted in either group. In this series no advantage could be shown for the use of autogenous injection of bone marrow compared with injection of steroid in the management of unicameral bone cysts.     

Percutaneous reaming of simple bone cysts in children followed by injection of demineralized bone matrix and autologous bone marrow

The authors report the successful treatment of 19 patients (mean age 10 years) with active unicameral bone cysts using a combination of percutaneous reaming and injection of a mixture of demineralized bone matrix and autologous bone marrow. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 42 months (mean 28 months). All patients were asymptomatic at the latest follow-up. Two required a second intervention to accomplish complete cyst healing. Radiographic outcome was improved in all patients according to the Neer classification at the latest follow-up. There were no significant complications related to the procedure, nor did any fracture occur after initiation of the above regimen.     

经皮囊内注射移植自体骨髓治疗单房性骨囊肿的初步报告

目的报道经皮囊内注射移植自体骨髓治疗８例单房性骨囊肿的疗效。方法保守治疗８例单房性骨囊肿,男５例,女３例,平均年龄１０岁５个月（７～１８岁）。５例位于肱骨近端,２例位于股骨颈,１例位于股骨干。抽去囊液后注入从髂骨吸取的骨髓。结果平均用骨髓３５ｍｌ（３０～６５ｍｌ）。５ｍｌ组每个穿刺点骨髓有核细胞为（５８５±２９９）×１０９／Ｌ。计算机测量平均囊腔面积为１０９００４ｍｍ２。未见手术并发症发生。下肢治疗６周后去石膏逐渐负重。治疗后６个月内Ｘ线片示所有囊腔骨化,随访６～１７个月,平均１１个月,骨愈合满意,未见并发症发生。结论经皮囊腔内注射移植自体骨髓治疗单房性骨囊肿有效。     

Demineralized bone implants for nonunion fractures, bone cysts, and fibrous lesions.

Demineralized bone implants were used to treat eight patients with fracture nonunion, five patients with bone cysts, and eight patients with fibrous lesions. Five of the eight patients with nonunions had had previous unsuccessful attempts at reconstruction. After fixation and implantation with either human or bovine demineralized bone, all eight fractures healed. For those patients with nonunion fractures, mean followup time was 8 years, 5 months, and longest followup was 15 years, 3 months. The cystic lesions in five patients included three typical aneurysmal bone cysts and two recurrent unicameral bone cysts. The aneurysmal bone cysts had excellent healing and bone remodeling. The two unicameral bone cysts were repacked more densely after 1 year and healed. For these patients with bone cysts, the mean followup time was 12 years, 5 months, and longest followup was 15 years, 1 month. The various fibrous lesions in seven of the eight patients were healed within 6 months, with only one requiring repacking. For these patients with fibrous bone lesions, the mean followup time was 9 years, 8 months, and longest followup was 14 years. A biopsy of the lesions in five patients was performed and in two cases showed osteoblasts and new bone around small particles of the implants. These results with long term followup show that allogeneic or xenogeneic demineralized bone implants offer a reasonable alternative for the treatment of typical nonunion fractures, bone cysts, and fibrous lesions of bone.     

Endoscopic curettage and allografting of simple bone cysts of the calcaneus in young soccer players: Report of three cases

Open curettage with bone graft has been the traditionally suggested surgical treatment for the symptomatic simple (or unicameral as they used to be called) calcaneal bone cyst. Less invasive endoscopically assisted treatment with curettage and bone grafting with allograft have recently provided less postoperative morbidity. The aim of the present study is to present our experience with this method in young soccer athletes. Between April 2014 and May 2016 three consecutive young soccer players with symptomatic calcaneal bone cysts underwent endoscopic curettage, and percutaneous injection of demineralized bone matrix allograft. The mean age was 17.3 (16, 17 and 19 years old), and the mean follow-up was 32.1 (range 24–47) months. Both radiographic and functional follow-up, using the AOFAS score, showed good to excellent results. All lesions were radiographically healed. Preoperative AOFAS score (max. 100 pts) was 78.6 ± 4.7, improving to 98.0 ± 4.1. The patients returned to their initial level of sports activities within 18.3 (range 17–19) weeks after surgery. Evidence suggests an earlier return to sports using bone substitutes. However, the present study showed that endoscopic curettage and percutaneous injection of bone allograft is also an excellent treatment option for young athletes with a symptomatic calcaneal bone cyst.Level of clinical evidence4.     

Percutaneous autologous bone marrow grafting for simple bone cysts.

Twelve patients with simple bone cysts treated by percutaneous autologous bone marrow grafting were studied prospectively to evaluate the radiographic healing of the cysts, complications, and clinical outcome. The procedure included percutaneous aspiration of the cyst's fluid and the injection of the autologous bone marrow into the cyst cavity, which was aspirated from the posterior iliac crest. The mean volume of the lesions was 51.2 cubic centimeters (27 to 74 cc). The mean follow-up time was 23 months (range: 18 to 38 months). Complete healing occurred in two of the patients. Three cysts had residual cystic defect in which two required curettage and bone chip grafts. Six cases recurred. One patient failed to show any signs healing. We concluded that factors such as the size, multi-loculation, and completeness of the filling of the cyst with bone marrow grafting might influence the postoperative results of the treatment of simple bone cysts with bone marrow injection. We found more favorable result with unilobular, small cysts. Therefore, we believe that this method of treatment should be applied to carefully selected patients.     

Efficacy of aspiration and autogenous bone marrow injection in the treatment of simple bone cysts

Twenty eight patients with simple bone cyst that were treated by aspiration and percutaneous autogenous bone marrow injection were reviewed to evaluate the treatment outcome. There were 18 boys and ten girls. Their mean age was 10.9 ± 2.75 years. Single injection was performed for 16 patients; the rest had double or triple injections. There were no operative complications. The mean follow-up was 34.7 ± 6.87 months. The procedure succeeded in obtaining healing in 23 cysts (82%). Cysts with index of more than five and cortical thickness of less than 1 mm were significantly prone to pathological fractures and had significant poor results after treatment. Our results suggested that autogenous bone marrow injection is a safe and effective treatment method for simple bone cysts, but sometimes repeated injections are necessary. Cyst index and cortical thickness are good indicators for cyst aggressiveness and good predictors for treatment outcome.     

Cranioplasty using allogeneic perforated demineralized bone matrix with autogenous bone paste

The efficacy of allogeneic perforated demineralized bone matrix with autogenous bone paste in the treatment of full-thickness cranial defects was evaluated in 10 consecutive patients between June 1998 and December 1998. The skull defects resulted from trauma in 9 patients and removal of a cranial tumor in 1 patient. The size of the skull defects ranged from 8 x 6 cm to 11 x 12.5 cm. Follow-up averaged 33 months for all patients. Postimplantation evaluations included serial photographs, repeated physical examination, and three-dimensional computed tomography for all patients. Visual inspection of the implanted biomaterial 6 months later was possible in 1 patient. The contour of the reconstructed skull was acceptable aesthetically without any secondary depression noted during the follow-up period. Three-dimensional computed tomographic scans taken 2 years after implantation indicated that the allogeneic perforated demineralized bone matrix provided a matrix for new bone formation with remarkable osteoinductive potential for new bone formation. The autogenous bone paste was able to caulk the demineralized bone matrix and fill the contour irregularities and gaps of the reconstructed cranium. The results from this clinical study indicated that allogeneic perforated demineralized bone matrix with autogenous bone paste is a promising alternative to an autogenous bone graft and or alloplastic material for cranioplasty.     

Minimal invasive surgery for unicameral bone cyst using demineralized bone matrix: a case series

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Various treatments for unicameral bone cyst have been proposed. Recent concern focuses on the effectiveness of closed methods. This study evaluated the effectiveness of demineralized bone matrix as a graft material after intramedullary decompression for the treatment of unicameral bone cysts. METHODS: Between October 2008 and June 2010, twenty-five patients with a unicameral bone cyst were treated with intramedullary decompression followed by grafting of demineralized bone matrix. There were 21 males and 4 female patients with mean age of 11.1 years (range, 3-19 years). The proximal metaphysis of the humerus was affected in 12 patients, the proximal femur in five, the calcaneum in three, the distal femur in two, the tibia in two, and the radius in one. There were 17 active cysts and 8 latent cysts. Radiologic change was evaluated according to a modified Neer classification. Time to healing was defined as the period required achieving cortical thickening on the anteroposterior and lateral plain radiographs, as well as consolidation of the cyst. The patients were followed up for mean period of 23.9 months (range, 15-36 months). RESULTS: Nineteen of 25 cysts had completely consolidated after a single procedure. The mean time to healing was 6.6 months (range, 3-12 months). Four had incomplete healing radiographically but had no clinical symptom with enough cortical thickness to prevent fracture. None of these four cysts needed a second intervention until the last follow-up. Two of 25 patients required a second intervention because of cyst.     

经皮自体骨髓注射治疗单纯性骨囊肿疗效评价

目的评价经皮自体骨髓注射治疗单纯性骨囊肿的疗效，探讨影响疗效的相关因素。方法2000年3月～2005年6月收治单纯性骨囊肿患儿并获随访31例，男18例，女13例。年龄5岁7个月～15岁，平均9岁6个月。肱骨近端18例，股骨近端7例，肱骨干2例，腓骨近端、股骨远端、胫骨远端及跟骨各1例。活动期13例，静止期18例。其中植骨术后复发2例，类固醇注射5次未愈合1例。合并病理性骨折19例。患儿均先抽去囊液后，注入从髂后上棘吸取的骨髓，平均注入骨髓40ml（30～70m1）。结果术中及术后无并发症发生。31例获随访1～5年，平均2．2年。经1次注射后囊腔完全愈合9例，占29．0％；基本愈合7例，占22．6％；部分愈合5例，占16．1％；未愈合8例，占25．8％；无效2例，占6．5％。骨囊肿静止期与活动期疗效差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；5～8岁年龄段与9～15岁年龄段、骨髓增生活跃组与增生明显活跃组、肱骨近端病灶与股骨近端疗效比较，差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论经皮注射自体骨髓治疗单纯性骨囊肿安全、有效，但1次注射疗效有限，部分需多次注射；静止期疗效优于活动期。     

Surgical management of calcaneal unicameral bone cysts

Unicameral bone cysts are not seen commonly in the calcaneus. Little is known about the etiology and natural history of these lesions. Calcaneal cysts often are symptomatic, although some of these lesions are detected as incidental findings. Treatment has been advocated based on the fear of pathologic fracture and collapse. Several published series have been divided in their favor for either open treatment or injection management. These series are small, and the optimal treatment is still in question. The current study compared the efficacy of methylprednisolone acetate injection treatment with curettage and bone grafting in the treatment of unicameral bone cysts of the calcaneus. All patients treated for unicameral bone cysts of the calcaneus during the past 7 years at two institutions were reviewed. Eleven patients met inclusion criteria. All diagnoses were confirmed radiographically or histologically. Demographic information, presenting complaints, diagnostic imaging, treatment modalities, and outcome were analyzed. Long term radiographic and subjective followup was obtained. Eighteen surgical procedures were performed on 11 patients with 12 cysts. Nine injections performed on six patients failed to show healing of the cyst. Nine cysts treated with curettage and bone grafting showed cyst healing. At mean followup of 28 months (range, 12-77 months), all 11 patients had no symptoms; there were no recurrences of the cyst in the nine patients who underwent bone grafting and persistence of the cyst in the two patients who underwent injection therapy. This review reports one of the largest series of cysts in this location. The results indicate that steroid injection treatment, although useful in other locations, may not be the best option for the management of unicameral bone cysts in the calcaneus. Curettage and bone grafting yielded uniformly good results.     

Treatment options in unicameral bone cysts

Curettage and bone grafting has been the traditional treatment for unicameral bone cysts. Aspiration followed by injection of methylprednisolone acetate has been successfully used by Scaglietti et al. We reviewed 59 patients treated for unicameral bone cysts. The patients were subsequently evaluated for healing with regard to age, activity of cyst, and bone graft origin. The healing rate for curettage and bone graft was 53%. For patients with methylprednisolone acetate injection after aspiration, the healing rate was 70%. This difference was not statistically significant. The methylprednisolone acetate injection method has comparable efficacy to that of the more traditional curettage and bone graft method, and it is safe and cost-effective.     

Unicameral bone cysts: a comparison of injection of steroid and grafting with autologous bone marrow

Open surgery is rarely justified for the initial treatment of a unicameral bone cyst, but there is some debate concerning the relative effectiveness of closed methods. This study compared the results of steroid injection with those of autologous bone marrow grafting for the treatment of unicameral bone cysts. Between 1990 and 2001, 30 patients were treated by steroid injection and 28 by grafting with autologous bone marrow. The overall success rates were 86.7% and 92.0%, respectively (p>0.05). The success rate after the initial procedure was 23.3% in the steroid group and 52.0% in those receiving autologous bone marrow (p<0.05), and the respective cumulative success rates after second injections were 63.3% and 80.0% (p>0.05). The mean number of procedures required was 2.19 (1 to 5) and 1.57 (1 to 3) (p<0.05), the mean interval to healing was 12.5 months (4 to 32) and 14.3 months (7 to 36) (p>0.05), and the rate of recurrence after the initial procedure was 41.7% and 13.3% in the steroid and in the autologous bone marrow groups, respectively (p<0.05). Although the overall rates of success of both methods were similar, the steroid group had higher recurrence after a single procedure and required more injections to achieve healing.     

Clinical relevance of calcaneal bone cysts: a study of 50 cysts in 47 patients

The clinical relevance and nature of calcaneal cysts is controversial. The risk of pathologic fracture is undefined and diagnostic criteria to differentiate between cysts in patients who can be treated nonoperatively and patients who require surgical intervention are not available. To address these questions, 50 calcaneal bone cysts in 47 patients were evaluated. The majority of cysts (40 of 50) were asymptomatic and were treated nonoperatively. Cysts reaching a critical size, defined as 100% intracalcaneal cross section in the coronary plane and at least 30% in the sagittal plane, are at risk for becoming symptomatic and at risk for fracture. Fracture is a significant complication and occurred in four of 47 patients, three of whom were treated by open reduction internal fixation and bone grafting. In addition, six patients with symptomatic critical size cysts without apparent fracture were treated by curettage and subsequent autogenous bone grafting or calcium-phosphate cement filling, and there were no recurrences. We report one of the largest series of cysts in the calcaneus. The results suggest that calcaneal cysts are clinically relevant because of the potential risk of fracture and that size is a significant factor in terms of the treatment of the cyst.     

Open Curettage With Bone Augmentation for Symptomatic Tumors and Tumor-like Lesions of Calcaneus: A Comparison of Bioactive Glass Versus Allogeneic Bone

Few studies have characterized the clinical outcomes of 45S5 Bioglass® applied as a bone graft to that of allogeneic bone applied in calcaneal open curettage. Therefore, the purpose of the present investigation was to compare the outcomes of patients with calcaneal tumors and tumor-like lesions treated by open curettage with 45S5 Bioglass® or allogeneic bone. Of the 31 patients who underwent open curettage (18 cases of unicameral bone cysts, 7 cases of aneurysmal bone cysts, and 6 cases of intraosseous lipoma), 16 (52%) received grafts with 45S5 Bioglass® and 15 (48%) with allogeneic bone. All the feet achieved bone fusion according to the modified Neer radiographic classification system at the last follow-up examination. The mean bone ingrowth time for the grafts with 45S5 Bioglass® versus allogeneic bone was 3.71 ± 0.86 versus 4.46 ± 1.04 months (p = .038), the mean bone healing time was 4.86 ± 0.93 versus 5.73 ± 1.07 months (p = .021), and the mean incision drying time was 7.2 ± 1.8 versus 8.2 ± 1.5 days (p = .047), respectively. No differences were found in the postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale scores between the 2 groups (p = .213). These results show that 45S5 Bioglass® can better facilitate the formation of new bone with a faster drying time of the incision than allogeneic bone. Although both materials can benefit the clinical outcomes of calcaneal tumors and tumor-like lesions, further studies are needed to observe the long-term complications and lesion recurrence rates.     

Continuous decompression of unicameral bone cyst with cannulated screws: a comparative study

We determined the role of mechanical decompression in the resolution of unicameral bone cyst. A total of 69 children with unicameral bone cysts were treated either by (i) open curettage and bone grafting, (ii) steroid injection or (iii) cannulated screw insertion. During a mean follow-up of 69 months (range, 12-58), the cysts were evaluated by radiological criteria. The healing rates in the three groups were 25, 12 and 29% after the first treatment, and a further 50, 19 and 65% after the second. The study has demonstrated the advantages of the decompression technique for unicameral bone cysts over other treatment modalities studied.     

Diagnosing aneurysmal and unicameral bone cysts with magnetic resonance imaging

The differential between aneurysmal bone cysts and unicameral bone cysts usually is clear clinically and radiographically. Occasionally there are cases in which the diagnosis is not clear. Because natural history and treatment are different, the ability to distinguish between these two entities before surgery is important. The authors reviewed, in a blinded fashion, the preoperative magnetic resonance images to investigate criteria that could be used to differentiate between the two lesions. All patients had operative or pathologic confirmation of an aneurysmal bone cyst or unicameral bone cyst. The authors analyzed the preoperative magnetic resonance images of 14 patients with diagnostically difficult bone cysts (eight children with unicameral bone cysts and six children with aneurysmal bone cysts) and correlated these findings with diagnosis after biopsy or cyst aspiration and contrast injection. The presence of a double density fluid level within the lesion strongly indicated that the lesion was an aneurysmal bone cyst, rather than a unicameral bone cyst. Other criteria that suggested the lesion was an aneurysmal bone cyst were the presence of septations within the lesion and signal characteristics of low intensity on T1 images and high intensity on T2 images. The authors identified a way of helping to differentiate between aneurysmal bone cysts and unicameral bone cysts on magnetic resonance images. Double density fluid level, septation, and low signal on T1 images and high signal on T2 images strongly suggest the bone cyst in question is an aneurysmal bone cyst, rather than a unicameral bone cyst. This may be helpful before surgery for the child who has a cystic lesion for which radiographic features do not allow a clear differentiation of unicameral bone cyst from aneurysmal bone cyst.     

Bone regeneration after enucleation of mandibular cysts: comparing autogenous grafts from tissue-engineered bone and iliac bone.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare bone regeneration after grafting enucleated mandibular cyst cavities using either autogenous osteoblasts cultured on a biomaterial or autogenous spongiose iliac bone. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty patients with 22 mandibular cysts were assessed. Eleven cysts were filled in with tissue-engineered bone (autogenous osteblasts cultured on demineralized bone matrix Osteovit) and 11 with spongiose iliac bone as controls. Panoramic radiographs were taken preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Radiolucency was computer analyzed using gray-level histograms. RESULTS: In both groups bone regeneration took place in a similar fashion. After 3 and 6 months there were few differences in bone density between the groups. However, in radiographic controls after 12 months ossification was considerably stronger in cysts grafted with tissue-engineered bone. CONCLUSION: These results advocate for the clinical application of tissue-engineered bone as an alternative viable filling material for cysts.     

Treatment of nonunion by percutaneous injection of bone marrow and demineralized bone matrix. An experimental study in dogs

Successful treatment of nonunited fractures remains a major clinical challenge. Because bone marrow and demineralized bone matrix (DBM) are capable of stimulating osteogenesis, experiments were designed to test the effectiveness of bone marrow or DBM or both when injected percutaneously into a canine nonunion model. Six-millimeter segmental defects were created in the midtibial diaphysis of 24 adult mongrel dogs and held distracted by external fixation. For comparative purposes, a 0.5-mm osteotomy was created in five dogs. Five weeks later, the 6-mm defects were injected with either saline, autogeneic marrow, DBM powder, a composite of bone marrow and DBM, or treated by open grafting techniques with autogenic cancellous bone. Healing of the defect was evaluated roentgenographically, biomechanically (three-point bending), histologically, and biochemically 13 weeks postsurgery. Marrow and DBM stimulated defect healing. However, the combination of bone marrow with DBM produced a synergistic response in the defect, which was greater than the sum of either marrow or DBM alone. Healing in the composite-grafted dogs was comparable to those treated by standard cancellous bone grafting. These data suggest that percutaneous injection of bone marrow and DBM may be a potential alternative that offers numerous advantages over standard open grafting techniques in the treatment of fractures with nonunited defects.