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.