Background and purpose

The defect that results after curettage of an aneurysmal bone cyst is usually filled in the same way. We report the outcome in patients with aneurysmal bone cyst that were treated with curettage without graft.

Materials & Methods 

Retrospective study of 10 consecutive cases of aneurysmal bone cyst of bone. Diagnosis was based on imaging studies and supported by histopathology evaluation. The mean age at the presentation is 13.8 years (range; 2-36 years).Five patients were before skeletal maturity. The cyst was staged according to Enneking .Surgical technique was curettage with use of a high-speed burr through a window in the weakest part of cyst well. Curettage was supplemented with plate in proximal tibia lesion with impending fracture. A case required epiphysiodesis to manage the associated growth disturbance. The mean follow up was 34.8 months (range; 12-72 months). .Assessment of cyst healing was based on modified Neer criteria.

Results

All cases showed different degrees of consolidation. Recurrence was not observed in patient with two years or more follow-up. Patients resumed normal daily activities 6 weeks after the procedure. Remodeling of the associated expansion was observed in two cases (age: 2 and 10 years).

Interpretation

Routine filling of the curetted aneurysmal bone cyst does not appear to be necessary. Prophylactic fixation may be consider in cyst associated with impending fracture.