REVIEW article
Front. Pediatr.
Sec. Pediatric Orthopedics
Management strategies and Outcomes of Pediatric Unicameral bone cyst:a narrative review
Juntao Ge 1
Kaixuan Tian 2
1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital , Shandong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Pediatric Drug Development, Jinan, China
2. Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
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Abstract
Abstract: Unicameral bone cysts (UBCs) are benign, fluid-filled lesions that predominantly occur in the long bones of children and adolescents. Although histologically non-neoplastic, these cysts can weaken bone structure and predispose patients to pathological fractures. Despite extensive research, the optimal management of UBCs remains controversial. Current treatment strategies—ranging from simple observation to minimally invasive procedures and open surgery—lack standardized guidelines, and clinical decisions are often driven by lesion activity, fracture risk, and surgeon experience. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of pediatric UBCs, with particular emphasis on their etiology, natural history, and the evolution of management strategies. It summarizes major therapeutic approaches while focusing on their underlying rationale rather than technical details. By integrating current evidence and expert perspectives, this review highlights existing challenges and aims to assist clinicians in formulating individualized, evidence-based treatment plans that optimize both safety and long-term functional outcomes in affected children.
Summary
Keywords
Bone cyst, Curettage, pathological fracture, pediatric, Treatment
Received
25 November 2025
Accepted
17 February 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Ge and Tian. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Kaixuan Tian
Disclaimer
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.