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Unicameral bone cysts

Natural history and the risk of fracture

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Summary

Unicameral bone cysts in 57 patients, seen at the Alfred I. duPont Institute between 1949 and 1982, were studied retrospectively. We present the natural history in several patients and report a “cyst index” which allows the progress of the cyst to be followed and makes it possible to determine whether there is a significant risk of fracture which would warrant treatment. We have found that measuring the cyst index in patients treated by injections of methylprednisolone acetate helps to assess the response to treatment.

Résumé

Nous avons réalisé une étude rétrospective des 57 cas de kyste essentiel des os, observés à l'Institut Alfred I. duPont de 1949 à 1982. Nous relatons l'histoire naturelle de cette affection et nous présentons un “index kystique” qui permet de suivre l'évolution du kyste et rend possible de prévoir la survenue d'un risque important de fracture, pouvant justifier un traitement. Nous avons trouvé que la mesure de cet index, chez les malades traités par injections d'acétate de méthyl-prednisolone, aide â évaluer la réponse à cette thérapeutique.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Education, Alfred I. duPont Institute, PO Box 269, 19899, Wilmington, DE, USA

    A. J. Kaelin & G. D. MacEwen

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  1. A. J. Kaelin
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  2. G. D. MacEwen
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Kaelin, A.J., MacEwen, G.D. Unicameral bone cysts. International Orthopaedics 13, 275–282 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00268511

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