Bone Cyst Treatment

There are two types of bone cysts: unicameral and aneurysmal bone cysts. Both are benign and occur in individuals under the age of 20, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Each type of bone cyst is treated with different methods. Aneurysmal and unicameral bone cysts are not life-threatening, but they can cause complications if left untreated.

Unicameral Bone Cysts

• Unicameral, or simple, bone cysts are located in a single location on one bone. The AAOS states that the thighbone and upper arm are the most common places unicameral bone cysts occur. The majority of people with these cysts do not experience any symptoms. In some cases, pain and swelling occurs.

  Non-surgical treatments for unicameral bone cysts involves repeated X-rays in individuals who do not experience any symptoms. In fact, in these cases, the cyst is often found by accident through an X-ray for the diagnosis of another ailment. Surgical removal of a unicameral bone cyst is needed if it becomes especially painful, or the area of the bone starts to thin out. Thinning of the bone eventually causes breakage. During surgery, your doctor will scrape the bone, leaving a hole. You will likely receive a donated piece of blood as a replacement. If the cyst is not in a compromising stage or location, the surgeon may drain the cyst or inject it with a steroid.

Aneurysmal Bone Cysts

• Aneurysmal bone cysts make the effected bone expand, which causes swelling and pain. According to the Children's Hospital of Boston, the most vulnerable bones are those in the knee and vertebrae. There is a danger that you may lose excessive amounts of blood during treatment for aneurismal bone cysts. To prevent this from occurring, your doctor may block the blood vessels within the cyst.

  Once the risk of excessive bleeding is prevented, your aneurismal bone cyst will be treated in four different ways. The most common treatment, according to the Children's Hospital of Boston, is an operation called curettage, or bone grafting. During this procedure, the aneurismal bone cyst is scraped out of your bone with a spoon-like instrument called a curette. Then the resulting hole is filled with a piece of bone from a donor.

  Cryotherapy is used if there is a possibility that the aneurismal bone cyst will redevelop. During this procedure, the cyst is surgically frozen. Side effects may include nerve injury and bone fracture.

  In some cases, the aneurismal cyst grows so large that the surgeon will remove the particular bone. However, only expendable bones, such as ribs, are considered for removal.

  Radiation therapy is used only when other treatment methods do not work. A machine that emits high energy rays is used directly kill the cells of an aneurismal bone cyst.