AO titanium elastic nail combined with autologous hone marrow injection for treatment of simple bone cysts of the long bones in children

Abstract

Objective To study the effects and advantages of the treatment for simple bone cysts of the long bones in children with AO titanium elastic nail and autologous bone marrow injection. Methods Eighteen patients with a simple bone cyst at humerus or femur were managed with AO titanium elastic in-tramedullary nail combined with autologous bone marrow injection. There were eleven boys and seven girls in total, with the mean age of 8.1 years, ranged from 6 to 12 years. Twelve cysts was located in the proximal end of humerus, five in the proximal end of femur and one in the middle part of the shaft of femur. Twelve cysts were active and six inactive according to Neer standard. Radiographic evaluation was performed three, six, twelve and eighteen months after operation during the 11 to 23 months follow-up by taking anteroposteri-or and lateral X-ray pictures. Then we measured residual radiolucent areas on X-ray pictures and did statistic research with group comparison. Results Six cysts (33.3%) healed completely, and twelve (66.7%) healed with residual radiolucent areas which were visible on X-ray pictures 3 to 6 months after operation. Residual radiolucent areas on X-ray pictures gradually reduced during the different phases and it has statistical signif-icance by group comparison. There was no recurrence or major complication except for one patient with mild irritation of skin caused by the end of the nail up to now. Conclusion The treatment for simple bone cysts of the long bones in children combined with AO titanium elastic nail and autologous bone marrow injection not only has satisfactory healing rate but also can provide early stability to the long bones, and accelerate the healing of cysts which allows early mobilization and thus obviates the long-term need for a plaster cast and decreases the prevalence of the most common complication: a pathological fracture. Key words: Titanium; Bone cysts; Bone Screws; Bone marrow transplantation; Child