Laboratory Studies

The diagnosis of a unicameral (simple) bone cyst (UBC) is strongly suspected on the basis of the lesion's typical radiographic appearance and is confirmed when an appropriate cyst fluid is demonstrated. Specific laboratory tests are not a routine part of the workup of a UBC.^{[20, 43, 44, 45]}

Plain Radiography

Appropriate imaging studies for a UBC should always include plain radiographs. The appearance of the lesion on plain radiography is virtually diagnostic.

A particular radiographic sign (ie, the fallen-fragment sign) is, at times, very helpful in the radiographic diagnosis of a UBC. Reynolds is credited with describing this sign in 1969.^[46] Typically, the sign is identified when the patient with a UBC presents with a pathologic fracture. The interior of the bone cyst may contain complete or nearly complete thin bony septations within it.

At the time of pathologic fracture, a portion of one of these bony segments may actually break free and float to the bottom of the cyst. This is possible because the UBC is filled with fluid and is not a solid. The fallen-fragment sign is found in approximately 20% of patients who present with a pathologic fracture secondary to a UBC.^{[47, 48]}

Some authors have altered the original description of this sign and refer to it as the fallen-leaf sign; they choose to imagine the broken fragment of bone gently wafting down from the top of the cyst to the bottom of the cyst as if it were a leaf slowly falling to earth from a tree.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

If a UBC is in close proximity to a growth plate and growth impairment is a concern, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may prove quite helpful.^{[49, 50, 51]} MRI should not be a routine part of the workup of a UBC. Instead, it should be reserved for unusual or atypical situations. One such instance is a cyst in which growth-plate damage is a concern. Several authors have documented that such damage can occur about the proximal humeral growth plate.

Another situation in which preoperative MRI could be of value is in rare cases in which a more sinister diagnosis is suspected (eg, pseudocystic osteosarcoma or low-grade central osteosarcoma). In such instances, MRI is an appropriate part of preoperative staging of such a tumor.

A UBC can produce a wide variety of appearances on MRI, including rather heterogeneous fluid signals and even fluid-fluid levels (a sign much more commonly found in aneurysmal bone cysts [ABCs]).

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) may be useful for distinguishing between UBCs and ABCs.^[52]

Treatment & Management

Noordin S, Allana S, Umer M, Jamil M, Hilal K, Uddin N. Unicameral bone cysts: Current concepts. Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2018 Oct. 34:43-49. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Evans J, Shamrock AG, Blake J. Unicameral Bone Cyst. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls; 2022. [Full Text].
Jaffe HL, Lichtenstein L. Solitary unicameral bone cyst with emphasis on the roentgen picture, the pathologic appearance and the pathogenesis. Arch Surg. 1942. 44:1004-25.
Rajasekaran RB, Krishnamoorthy V, Gulia A. Unicameral Bone Cysts: Review of Etiopathogenesis and Current Concepts in Diagnosis and Management. Indian J Orthop. 2022 May. 56 (5):741-751. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Komiya S, Inoue A. Development of a solitary bone cyst--a report of a case suggesting its pathogenesis. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2000. 120 (7-8):455-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Stanton RP, Abdel-Mota'al MM. Growth arrest resulting from unicameral bone cyst. J Pediatr Orthop. 1998 Mar-Apr. 18 (2):198-201. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Grabias S, Mankin HJ. Chondrosarcoma arising in histologically proved unicameral bone cyst. A case report. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1974 Oct. 56 (7):1501-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Steinberg GG. Ewing's sarcoma arising in a unicameral bone cyst. J Pediatr Orthop. 1985 Jan-Feb. 5 (1):97-100. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
COHEN J. Simple bone cysts. Studies of cyst fluid in six cases with a theory of pathogenesis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1960 Jun. 42-A:609-16. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Chigira M, Maehara S, Arita S, Udagawa E. The aetiology and treatment of simple bone cysts. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1983 Nov. 65 (5):633-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Gebhart M, Blaimont P. Contribution to the vascular origin of the unicameral bone cyst. Acta Orthop Belg. 1996 Sep. 62 (3):137-43. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Mirra JM, Bernard GW, Bullough PG, Johnston W, Mink G. Cementum-like bone production in solitary bone cysts. (so-called "cementoma" of long bones). Report of three cases. Electron microscopic observations supporting a synovial origin to the simple bone cyst. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1978 Sep. 135:295-307. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Yu CL, D'Astous J, Finnegan M. Simple bone cysts. The effects of methylprednisolone on synovial cells in culture. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1991 Jan. 262:34-41. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Shindell R, Huurman WW, Lippiello L, Connolly JF. Prostaglandin levels in unicameral bone cysts treated by intralesional steroid injection. J Pediatr Orthop. 1989 Sep-Oct. 9 (5):516-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Gerasimov AM, Toporova SM, Furtseva LN, Berezhnoy AP, Vilensky EV, Alekseeva RI. The role of lysosomes in the pathogenesis of unicameral bone cysts. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1991 May. 266:53-63. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Komiya S, Tsuzuki K, Mangham DC, Sugiyama M, Inoue A. Oxygen scavengers in simple bone cysts. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1994 Nov. (308):199-206. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Vayego SA, De Conti OJ, Varella-Garcia M. Complex cytogenetic rearrangement in a case of unicameral bone cyst. Cancer Genet Cytogenet. 1996 Jan. 86 (1):46-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Vayego-Lourenco SA. TP53 mutations in a recurrent unicameral bone cyst. Cancer Genet Cytogenet. 2001 Jan 15. 124 (2):175-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Lokiec F, Ezra E, Khermosh O, Wientroub S. Simple bone cysts treated by percutaneous autologous marrow grafting. A preliminary report. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1996 Nov. 78 (6):934-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Lokiec F, Wientroub S. Simple bone cyst: etiology, classification, pathology, and treatment modalities. J Pediatr Orthop B. 1998 Oct. 7 (4):262-73. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Godette GA, Rooney RJ. Two different non-neoplastic lesions in the same long bone. Contemp Orthop. 1995. 30:395-98.
Park IH, Micic ID, Jeon IH. A study of 23 unicameral bone cysts of the calcaneus: open chip allogeneic bone graft versus percutaneous injection of bone powder with autogenous bone marrow. Foot Ankle Int. 2008 Feb. 29 (2):164-70. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Glaser DL, Dormans JP, Stanton RP, Davidson RS. Surgical management of calcaneal unicameral bone cysts. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1999 Mar. 360:231-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Zenmyo M, Komiya S, Hamada T, Inoue A. A solitary bone cyst in the spinous process of the cervical spine: a case report. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2000 Mar 1. 25 (5):641-2. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Chaudhary D, Bhatia N, Ahmed A, Chopra RK, Malik AC, Singh AK, et al. Unicameral bone cyst of the patella. Orthopedics. 2000 Dec. 23 (12):1285-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Abdelwahab IF, Hermann G, Norton KI, Kenan S, Lewis MM, Klein MJ. Simple bone cysts of the pelvis in adolescents. A report of four cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1991 Aug. 73 (7):1090-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Smith RW, Smith CF. Solitary unicameral bone cyst of the calcaneus. A review of twenty cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1974 Jan. 56 (1):49-56. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Farber JM, Stanton RP. Treatment options in unicameral bone cysts. Orthopedics. 1990 Jan. 13 (1):25-32. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Hou HY, Wu K, Wang CT, Chang SM, Lin WH, Yang RS. Treatment of unicameral bone cyst: a comparative study of selected techniques. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2010 Apr. 92 (4):855-62. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Yildirim C, Mahiroğullari M, Kuşkucu M, Akmaz I, Keklikci K. Treatment of a unicameral bone cyst of calcaneus with endoscopic curettage and percutaneous filling with corticocancellous allograft. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2010 Jan-Feb. 49 (1):93-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Randelli P, Arrigoni P, Cabitza P, Denti M. Unicameral bone cyst of the humeral head: arthroscopic curettage and bone grafting. Orthopedics. 2009 Jan. 32 (1):54. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Canavese F, Wright JG, Cole WG, Hopyan S. Unicameral bone cysts: comparison of percutaneous curettage, steroid, and autologous bone marrow injections. J Pediatr Orthop. 2011 Jan-Feb. 31 (1):50-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Oppenheim WL, Galleno H. Operative treatment versus steroid injection in the management of unicameral bone cysts. J Pediatr Orthop. 1984 Jan. 4 (1):1-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Moreau G, Letts M. Unicameral bone cyst of the calcaneus in children. J Pediatr Orthop. 1994 Jan-Feb. 14 (1):101-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Imhäuser G. [Management of juvenile bone cysts using intramedullary nailing?]. Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb. 1968 Oct. 105 (3):110-1. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Roposch A, Saraph V, Linhart WE. Flexible intramedullary nailing for the treatment of unicameral bone cysts in long bones. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2000 Oct. 82 (10):1447-53. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Santori F, Ghera S, Castelli V. Treatment of solitary bone cysts with intramedullary nailing. Orthopedics. 1988 Jun. 11 (6):873-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Catier P, Bracq H, Canciani JP, Allouis M, Babut JM. [The treatment of upper femoral unicameral bone cysts in children by Ender's nailing technique]. Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot. 1981. 67 (2):147-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Kadhim M, Thacker M, Kadhim A, Holmes L Jr. Treatment of unicameral bone cyst: systematic review and meta analysis. J Child Orthop. 2014 Mar. 8 (2):171-91. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Kadhim M, Sethi S, Thacker MM. Unicameral Bone Cysts in the Humerus: Treatment Outcomes. J Pediatr Orthop. 2016 Jun. 36 (4):392-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Gundle KR, Bhatt EM, Punt SE, Bompadre V, Conrad EU. Injection of Unicameral Bone Cysts with Bone Marrow Aspirate and Demineralized Bone Matrix Avoids Open Curettage and Bone Grafting in a Retrospective Cohort. Open Orthop J. 2017. 11:486-492. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Jordanov MI. The "rising bubble" sign: a new aid in the diagnosis of unicameral bone cysts. Skeletal Radiol. 2009 Jun. 38 (6):597-600. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Capanna R, Campanacci DA, Manfrini M. Unicameral and aneurysmal bone cysts. Orthop Clin North Am. 1996 Jul. 27 (3):605-14. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Lodwick GS, Wilson AJ, Farrell C, Virtama P, Dittrich F. Determining growth rates of focal lesions of bone from radiographs. Radiology. 1980 Mar. 134 (3):577-83. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Sundaram M, Totty WG, Kyriakos M, McDonald DJ, Merkel K. Imaging findings in pseudocystic osteosarcoma. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2001 Mar. 176 (3):783-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Reynolds J. The "fallen fragment sign" in the diagnosis of unicameral bone cysts. Radiology. 1969 Apr. 92 (5):949-53 passim. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Struhl S, Edelson C, Pritzker H, Seimon LP, Dorfman HD. Solitary (unicameral) bone cyst. The fallen fragment sign revisited. Skeletal Radiol. 1989. 18 (4):261-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
McGlynn FJ, Mickelson MR, El-Khoury GY. The fallen fragment sign in unicameral bone cyst. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1981 May. 156:157-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Maas EJ, Craig JG, Swisher PK, Amin MB, Marcus N. Fluid-fluid levels in a simple bone cyst on magnetic resonance imaging. Australas Radiol. 1998 Aug. 42 (3):267-70. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Margau R, Babyn P, Cole W, Smith C, Lee F. MR imaging of simple bone cysts in children: not so simple. Pediatr Radiol. 2000 Aug. 30 (8):551-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Sullivan RJ, Meyer JS, Dormans JP, Davidson RS. Diagnosing aneurysmal and unicameral bone cysts with magnetic resonance imaging. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1999 Sep. 366:186-90. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Gruenewald LD, Koch V, Gruber-Rouh T, Thalhammer A, Frank J, Marzi I, et al. MR angiography facilitates the differentiation of aneurysmal from unicameral bone cysts. Br J Radiol. 2023 Mar 1. 96 (1144):20220849. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Kaelin AJ, MacEwen GD. Unicameral bone cysts. Natural history and the risk of fracture. Int Orthop. 1989. 13 (4):275-82. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Campanacci M, Capanna R, Picci P. Unicameral and aneurysmal bone cysts. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1986 Mar. 204:25-36. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Neer CS 2nd, Francis KC, Marcove RC, Terz J, Carbonara PN. Treatment of unicameral bone cyst. A follow-up study of one hundred seventy-five cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1966 Jun. 48 (4):731-45. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Bovill DF, Skinner HB. Unicameral bone cysts. A comparison of treatment options. Orthop Rev. 1989 Apr. 18 (4):420-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Hecht AC, Gebhardt MC. Diagnosis and treatment of unicameral and aneurysmal bone cysts in children. Curr Opin Pediatr. 1998 Feb. 10 (1):87-94. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Wright JG, Yandow S, Donaldson S, Marley L, Simple Bone Cyst Trial Group. A randomized clinical trial comparing intralesional bone marrow and steroid injections for simple bone cysts. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008 Apr. 90 (4):722-30. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Altermatt S, Schwöbel M, Pochon JP. Operative treatment of solitary bone cysts with tricalcium phosphate ceramic. A 1 to 7 year follow-up. Eur J Pediatr Surg. 1992 Jun. 2 (3):180-2. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Farr S, Balacó IMS, Martínez-Alvarez S, Hahne J, Bae DS. Current Trends and Variations in the Treatment of Unicameral Bone Cysts of the Humerus: A Survey of EPOS and POSNA Members. J Pediatr Orthop. 2020 Jan. 40 (1):e68-e76. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Carrata A, Garbagna P, Mapelli S, Zucchi V. The treatment of simple bone cysts by topical infiltrations of methylprednisolone acetate: technique and results. Eur J Radiol. 1983 Feb. 3 (1):3-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Clayer M. Injectable form of calcium sulphate as treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts. ANZ J Surg. 2008 May. 78 (5):366-70. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Spence KF Jr, Bright RW, Fitzgerald SP, Sell KW. Solitary unicameral bone cyst: treatment with freeze-dried crushed cortical-bone allograft. A review of one hundred and forty-four cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1976 Jul. 58 (5):636-41. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Neer CS, Francis KC, Johnston AD, Kiernan HA Jr. Current concepts on the treatment of solitary unicameral bone cyst. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1973 Nov-Dec. 97:40-51. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Nunziato C, Williams J, Williams R. Synthetic Bone Graft Substitute for Treatment of Unicameral Bone Cysts. J Pediatr Orthop. 2021 Jan. 41 (1):e60-e66. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Fahey JJ, O'Brien ET. Subtotal resection and grafting in selected cases of solitary unicameral bone cyst. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1973 Jan. 55 (1):59-68. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
McKay DW, Nason SS. Treatment of unicameral bone cysts by subtotal resection without grafts. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1977 Jun. 59 (4):515-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Ibe IK, Alder KD, Henderson SE, Yu KE, Lee FY. Excisional Curettage of Benign Cystic Lesions. JBJS Essent Surg Tech. 2019 Jul-Sep. 9 (3):e24. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Scaglietti O, Marchetti PG, Bartolozzi P. Final results obtained in the treatment of bone cysts with methylprednisolone acetate (depo-medrol) and a discussion of results achieved in other bone lesions. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1982 May. 165:33-42. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Komiya S, Minamitani K, Sasaguri Y, Hashimoto S, Morimatsu M, Inoue A. Simple bone cyst. Treatment by trepanation and studies on bone resorptive factors in cyst fluid with a theory of its pathogenesis. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1993 Feb. (287):204-11. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Capanna R, Dal Monte A, Gitelis S, Campanacci M. The natural history of unicameral bone cyst after steroid injection. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1982 Jun. 166:204-11. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Fernbach SK, Blumenthal DH, Poznanski AK, Dias LS, Tachdjian MO. Radiographic changes in unicameral bone cysts following direct injection of steroids: a report on 14 cases. Radiology. 1981 Sep. 140 (3):689-95. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Mitchell EP, Fugle MJ, Limbert AB. The treatment of unicameral bone cysts with injections of methylprednisolone acetate: a case study and review of the literature. J Am Osteopath Acad Orthop. 1983. 2:19-23.
Scaglietti O, Marchetti PG, Bartolozzi P. The effects of methylprednisolone acetate in the treatment of bone cysts. Results of three years follow-up. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1979 May. 61-B (2):200-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Thawrani D, Thai CC, Welch RD, Copley L, Johnston CE. Successful treatment of unicameral bone cyst by single percutaneous injection of alpha-BSM. J Pediatr Orthop. 2009 Jul-Aug. 29 (5):511-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Pavone V, Caff G, Di Silvestri C, Avondo S, Sessa G. Steroid injections in the treatment of humeral unicameral bone cysts: long-term follow-up and review of the literature. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2014 May. 24 (4):497-503. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Rosenborg M, Mortensson W, Hirsch G, Sisask G, Karlsson A. Considerations in the corticosteroid treatment of bone cysts. J Pediatr Orthop. 1989 Mar-Apr. 9 (2):240-3. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Capanna R, Albisinni U, Caroli GC, Campanacci M. Contrast examination as a prognostic factor in the treatment of solitary bone cyst by cortisone injection. Skeletal Radiol. 1984. 12 (2):97-102. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Garg NK, Carty H, Walsh HP, Dorgan JC, Bruce CE. Percutaneous Ethibloc injection in aneurysmal bone cysts. Skeletal Radiol. 2000 Apr. 29 (4):211-6. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Adamsbaum C, Kalifa G, Seringe R, Dubousset J. Direct Ethibloc injection in benign bone cysts: preliminary report on four patients. Skeletal Radiol. 1993. 22 (5):317-20. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Killian JT, Wilkinson L, White S, Brassard M. Treatment of unicameral bone cyst with demineralized bone matrix. J Pediatr Orthop. 1998 Sep-Oct. 18 (5):621-4. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Yandow SM, Lundeen GA, Scott SM, Coffin C. Autogenic bone marrow injections as a treatment for simple bone cyst. J Pediatr Orthop. 1998 Sep-Oct. 18 (5):616-20. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Akram M, Farooqi FM, Shahzad ML, Awais SM. A comparison of treating Unicameral bone cyst using steroids and percutaneous autologous bone marrow aspiration injection. J Pak Med Assoc. 2015 Nov. 65 (11 Suppl 3):S156-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Wientroub S, Goodwin D, Khermosh O, Salama R. The clinical use of autologous marrow to improve osteogenic potential of bone grafts in pediatric orthopedics. J Pediatr Orthop. 1989 Mar-Apr. 9 (2):186-90. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Delloye C, Docquier PL, Cornu O, Poilvache P, Peters M, Woitrin B, et al. Simple bone cysts treated with aspiration and a single bone marrow injection. A preliminary report. Int Orthop. 1998. 22 (2):134-8. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Köse N, Göktürk E, Turgut A, Günal I, Seber S. Percutaneous autologous bone marrow grafting for simple bone cysts. Bull Hosp Jt Dis. 1999. 58 (2):105-10. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Zhao JG, Wang J, Huang WJ, Zhang P, Ding N, Shang J. Interventions for treating simple bone cysts in the long bones of children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Feb 4. 2:CD010847. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
D'Amato RD, Memeo A, Fusini F, Panuccio E, Peretti G. Treatment of simple bone cyst with bone marrow concentrate and equine-derived demineralized bone matrix injection versus methylprednisolone acetate injections: A retrospective comparative study. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc. 2020 Jan. 54 (1):49-58. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Zhang KX, Chai W, Zhao JJ, Deng JH, Peng Z, Chen JY. Comparison of three treatment methods for simple bone cyst in children. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021 Jan 12. 22 (1):73. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Fillingham YA, Cvetanovich GL, Haughom BD, Erickson BJ, Gitelis S. Bioceramic bone graft substitute for treatment of unicameral bone cysts. J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2016 Aug. 24 (2):222-7. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Sivakumar B, An VVG, Dobbe A, Drynan D, Little D. Injection of a Bone Substitute in the Treatment of Unicameral Bone Cysts. Adv Orthop. 2023. 2023:3270372. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. [Full Text].
Gupta AK, Crawford AH. Solitary bone cyst with epiphyseal involvement: confirmation with magnetic resonance imaging. A case report and review of the literature. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1996 Jun. 78 (6):911-5. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
Malawer MM, Markle B. Unicameral bone cyst with epiphyseal involvement: clinicoanatomic analysis. J Pediatr Orthop. 1982 Mar. 2 (1):71-9. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].

Media Gallery

Large proximal humeral unicameral bone cyst demonstrates early cortical healing following pathologic fracture.
Large unicameral bone cyst of pelvis. Pathologic fracture is depicted. Note extension of cyst into region of proximal femoral physis.
Typical appearance of cyst fluid is depicted. Initial aspiration often yields thin, clear, yellow fluid that rapidly becomes blood-tinged.
Double-cannula technique demonstrates intraoperative use of contrast material for evaluation of cyst's interior. In this case, large partial septum remains along inferior portion of cyst.

of 4

Unicameral (Simple) Bone Cyst Workup

Laboratory Studies

Plain Radiography

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

References

Tables

Contributor Information and Disclosures

What would you like to print?