Wagner technique for the treatment of recurrent femoral neck active unicameral bone cyst in a child: Expanding the indications

Abstract

Unicameral bone cysts (UBCs) are common benign bone tumors in skeletally immature individuals. UBCs are considered active when found in close proximity to the growing physis. An active UBC of the femoral neck raises unique management challenges. This is due to its location in an area known to be high risk for complications if fractured, such as avascular necrosis and varus malunion. Transfixing the femoral neck physis while aiming to stabilize the fracture poses a risk of growth arrest. This risk is minimized when employing smooth Kirschner wires. Here, we present the case of a 5-year-old male with a recurrent active UBC in the left femoral neck complicated with a pathological fracture in which stabilization was achieved utilizing the Wagner technique of multiple Kirschner wires. To our knowledge, this technique has not been described in the treatment of such pathology.