Related Experiment Videos
Growth arrest resulting from unicameral bone cyst
R P Stanton1, M M Abdel-Mota'al
1duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware 19899, USA.
Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics
|April 8, 1998
Summary
Unicameral bone cysts in the proximal humerus can cause growth arrest in pediatric patients. This complication, seen in 10% of cases, leads to limb length discrepancies and requires careful monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Skeletal Dysplasias
- Bone Pathology
Background:
- Unicameral bone cysts (UBCs) are benign bone lesions often affecting children and adolescents.
- Complications of UBCs can include pathological fractures and growth disturbances.
- The proximal humerus is a common site for UBCs, potentially impacting upper limb growth.
Observation:
- A series of five patients (10% of 51 consecutive cases) presented with growth arrest secondary to proximal humerus UBCs.
- Patients ranged from 6 to 14 years at initial presentation, with follow-up up to 57.2 months.
- Pathologic fracture was the consistent initial clinical presentation across all affected patients.
Findings:
- Growth arrest was diagnosed via limb-length discrepancies and radiographic evidence of physeal (growth plate) closure and humeral deformity.
- In two cases treated surgically, growth arrest was evident pre-operatively.
- The exact etiology of growth arrest in UBCs remains unclear, with direct physeal damage deemed unlikely.
Implications:
- Growth arrest is a more frequent complication of proximal humerus UBCs than previously recognized.
- Early recognition and monitoring are crucial for managing growth disturbances in pediatric patients with UBCs.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying UBC-associated growth arrest.