Simple Bone Cysts

Evidence-Based Orthopedics, pp. 1041–1046

Abstract

This chapter presents a case scenario of a five-year-old boy who is limping and complaining of thigh pain. Simple bone cysts (SBC) are benign fluid-filled lesions of bone, with unknown prevalence, as many are asymptomatic. The majority of patients presenting with SBC are children, and as such may have difficulty being still for axial imaging such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Children with SBCs are at risk for continued pain, activity restriction, and anxiety. Observation may be a choice for an asymptomatic humeral SBC with minimal cortical thinning. SBCs may be treated nonoperatively. Goals of treatment include minimizing the risk of pathological fracture, cyst healing, and pain resolution. The evidence to guide treatment of SBCs is low; recent studies do support treatment of proximal femoral SBCs with curettage, grafting, and internal fixation. The chapter also provides recommendations for implementing evidence-based practice in the clinical setting.

Authors 4

1. Cristina Alves

   Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics – Hospital Pediátrico – CHUC, EPE, Portugal

2. Inês Balacó

   Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics – Hospital Pediátrico – CHUC, EPE, Portugal

   Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics – Hospital Pediátrico – CHUC, EPE, Portugal

3. Marta Salom

   Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics – Hospital Universitari i Politècnic la Fe, Valencia, Spain

   Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics – Hospital Universitari i Politècnic la Fe, Valencia, Spain

4. Michiel A. J. van de Sande Aachen Department of Orthopaedics, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Orthopaedics – Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands