Simple bone cyst with pathological fracture

Case contributed by Mohammad Taghi Niknejad
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Minor trauma.

Patient Data

Age: 12 years
Gender: Female

Simple bone cyst at proximal left humerus with pathological fracture causes deformity and angulation.

Case Discussion

A simple bone cyst is the only lesion in the mnemonic FEGNOMASHIC that is always central in location and can be excluded if it is not.

A classic radiographic finding is the fallen fragment sign which occurs when a piece of cortex breaks off after a fracture in a simple bone cyst, and the piece of cortical bone sinks to the gravity-dependent portion of the lesion.

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