Orthopedic & Muscular System: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

The Effect of Steroid in the Treatment of Simple Bone Cysts

Ahmet Kapukaya, Celil Alemdar, Ramazan Atiç, Memik Teke, Ulaş Alabalık and Mehmet Akif Çaçan

Objective: Although simple bone cysts are long-known lesions, an optimal treatment has not yet been found. There are quite different results reported in studies done with a steroid injection technique which is a popular treatment method today. The results of patients with pathological fractures who did not accept any treatment method were compared with the steroid injection technique.

Method: Twenty-four patients who had steroid injection technique (Group-I) and 19 patients who had had pathological fractures and who did not accept any treatment method (Group-II) between 1995 and 2011 were included the study. Plain radiographic evaluation criteria of Capanna were used in comparisons, and MRI was used with patients whose plain radiological findings were healed with residual phase. The results were rated according to both plain radiographs and MRI findings.

Results: The patients in Group-I were followed up for an average of 5.7 (2-9) years. Successful results were obtained in 18 patients (75%) according plain radiographs and in 13 patients (54%) according to MRI findings. The patients in Group-II were followed up 3 (2-7) years. Successful results were obtained in 15 patients (78.9%) according to plain radiographs and in 11 patients (57%) according to MRI findings.

Conclusion: No difference was observed in terms of the healing of cysts between the patients treated with a steroid injection technique and the patients that were only observed.