Treatment of benign cystic lesions of bone with a composite of bone substitute and bone marrow

Background
There are many methods for the treatment of unicameral bone cysts, which are benign cystic lesions seen in the metaphseal–diaphyseal region of long bones in growing children.
Patients and methods
Totally 20 patients, eight boys and four girls with a mean age of 10 years (range: 8–14 years), who had unicameral bone cysts were treated by curettage and a CaSO–CaPO bone substitute mixed with bone marrow aspiration. The lesion size ranged from 2×4 to 3×7 cm.
Results
New bone formation was noted in all cases with residual defects in five cases ranging from 15 to 25%. No pathological fracture occurred in this study. Recurrence of the lesion occurred in one case and was treated by reoperation with another dose of CaSO–CaPO. Complications within this series included superficial infection with serous drainage 3 weeks postoperatively in two cases treated conservatively.
Conclusion
Early results of this study using the CaSO–CaPO incorporated with bone marrow aspirate are promising in treating benign bone cysts with bone formation, which can stand for normal bone strength and low rate of complications.