Simple bone cyst and pathological fracture

Case contributed by Jeremy Jones
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Fall at the park. Left shoulder pain and reduced range of movement.

Patient Data

Age: 10 years
Gender: Male

Proximal humeral lucent bone lesion centered on the medulla, expanding the bone and thinning the cortex. Associated pathological fracture. Appearances are of a non-aggressive bone lesion and, in this case, it is a simple bone cyst.

Follow-up at 3 months

x-ray

Follow-up x-rays demonstrate new bone formation within the simple bone cyst. There remains a lucent component cranially.

Case Discussion

A fracture through a simple bone cyst will often result in the cyst being filled with osteoid during the process of healing. This often protect from subsequent fractures although in some cases, curettage and bone grafting is required.

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