[Diagnosis and treatment of secondary bone cysts]

The article reported 17 cases of confirmed or suspected secondary bone cyst originating from cystic degeneration of pre-existed tumor or tumor-like lesions. Twelve cases were diagnosed as solitary bone cysts pathologically after operation, but their clinical or radiological manifestations were not in keeping with the pathological findings. Among them aggressive or malignant tumors appeared in 6 cases during follow-up and no primary lesions could be found in other 6 cases. The macroscopic features of the lesion of other 5 cases were very similar to a solitary bone cyst, nevertheless, primary tumors were found histologically. The authors held that when dealing with a cystic lesion of bone, it was important, but sometimes difficult to differentiate a solitary bone cyst from a secondary one, and suggested that if the latter was suspected, injection therapy should not be used, but more radical procedures should be taken for treatment instead and the patient should be observed closely for a longer period.