Simple bone cyst: etiology, classification, pathology, and treatment modalities

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Pediatric Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Simple bone cysts (SBCs) are enigmatic, asymptomatic bone lesions primarily affecting children.
• The etiology of SBCs remains unknown, contributing to their unpredictable biological behavior and clinical course.
• These lesions frequently lead to pathological fractures, posing a significant clinical challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss the clinical, radiological, and biological features of simple bone cysts.
• To provide a comparative review of various treatment modalities for SBCs.
• To highlight the latest advancements in SBC treatment, including percutaneous autologous marrow grafting.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical presentations and radiological findings of simple bone cysts.
• Pathological analysis of SBCs to understand their biological characteristics.
• Comparative analysis of treatment outcomes for resection, curettage, bone grafting, steroid injection, and percutaneous autologous marrow grafting.

Main Results:

• Simple bone cysts exhibit unpredictable behavior and high recurrence rates across different anatomical sites.
• Various treatment options exist, each with associated recurrence rates.
• Percutaneous autologous marrow grafting shows promise as a newer treatment approach.

Conclusions:

• Simple bone cysts present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to their unknown etiology and unpredictable nature.
• Effective management requires a thorough understanding of the lesion's features and a careful selection of treatment.
• Further research into novel treatments like percutaneous autologous marrow grafting is warranted to improve outcomes and reduce recurrence.