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Distance from the growth plate and Its relation to the outcome of unicameral bone cyst treatment
Insights
The distance of unicameral bone cysts from the growth plate predicts treatment success. Cysts over 2 cm from the growth plate healed completely, while those closer did not, regardless of treatment method.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Skeletal Biology
- Surgical Outcomes Research
Background:
- Unicameral bone cysts (UBCs) are common benign bone lesions in children.
- Treatment outcomes for UBCs are variable and unpredictable.
- Predictive factors for successful UBC treatment require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the predictive value of the distance between the growth plate and unicameral bone cysts for treatment outcomes.
- To determine if a specific distance threshold can indicate successful healing.
- To inform clinical decision-making for UBC management.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 39 interventions for UBCs in 19 pediatric patients (1994-2003).
- Categorization of cysts based on distance from the growth plate (<2 cm vs. >2 cm).
- Assessment of treatment success (complete healing) across various intervention modalities.
Main Results:
- Complete healing was achieved in 10 out of 19 patients.
- Nine of the 10 successfully treated patients had cysts located more than 2 cm from the growth plate.
- One patient with a cyst <2 cm from the growth plate achieved healing via epiphyseodesis.
Conclusions:
- The distance of a unicameral bone cyst from the growth plate is a significant predictor of treatment outcome.
- Cysts located more than 2 cm from the growth plate demonstrate a higher likelihood of complete healing.
- A 2 cm distance threshold may serve as a valuable clinical tool for predicting UBC treatment success.
Background:
Interventions to treat unicameral bone cysts vary. Nonetheless, regardless of the intervention modality, the outcome is not certain. The purpose of this study was to determine if the distance between the growth plate and the cyst can be used to predict the outcome of the treatment.
Methods And Materials:
Retrospectively, we assessed the outcome of 39 interventions in nineteen children that were performed between 1994 and 2003. Seventeen different modalities of treatment were employed. There were three female and sixteen male patients. The average age was 8 years. Nine cysts were in the greater trochanter area, three were in the femoral capital area and seven were in the proximal humerus. According to the cyst's distance from the growth plate, at the intervention time, there were 18 cases within less than 2 cm and 21 cases of more than 2 cm.
Results:
Complete healing was achieved in 10 children (employing seven different modalities). In nine of them, the cysts were more than 2 cm away from the growth plate. In one child, the cyst was within less than 2 cm of the growth plate, however, treatment here involved epiphyseodesis.
Discussion:
This study confirmed that, regardless of intervention modality, complete healing was not achievable in those cysts that are within less than 2 cm of an active growth plate. Complete healing was possible in those cysts that are more than 2 cm away from the growth plate.
Conclusion:
The 2-cm distance from the growth plate could be used as a predictor of treatment outcome of unicameral bone cysts.
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