Treatment of Recurrent Aneurysmal Bone Cyst in a Dog Using Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2-loaded Alginate Microbeads

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are benign osteolytic lesions associated with lameness and present therapeutic challenges due to their frequent recurrence following surgery. This case report describes the surgical management and long-term outcomes of recurrent femoral ABC in a dog treated with multiple adjuvant therapies, including bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)-loaded alginate microbeads.

A 2-year-old neutered male Golden Retriever presented with right hindlimb lameness. Three months before, the dog underwent initial surgical curettage and bone grafting of a femoral lesion, confirmed as ABC by histopathology. Radiographs revealed an osteolytic lesion in the right distal femur with resorption of previously applied bone grafts. Revision surgery involved curettage and a high-speed burring, followed by filling the defect with cancellous bone autografts, bone marrow, BMP-2-loaded alginate microbeads, and BMP-2-soaked cancellous bone allograft chips. The dog restored normal gait within two months postoperatively. Follow-up radiographs indicated progressive bone formation without recurrence. The dog remained asymptomatic 29 months after the revision surgery.

The combined use of a high-speed burr, BMP-2-loaded alginate microbeads, and bone graft materials resulted in favorable clinical outcomes in recurrent ABC, without recurrence up to 29 months postoperatively.