Feasibility of Percutaneous Image-Guided Combined Treatment of Symptomatic Bone Cyst Using Cryoablation and Bone Graft Substitute

Purpose To describe the feasibility and technique of percutaneous image-guided combined treatment of bone cyst (BC) using cryoablation and bone graft substitute injection. Materials and Methods Between July 2019 and January 2022, six consecutive patients (ages between 16 and 33 years) with symptomatic BC in pelvic and lower extremity bones underwent percutaneous image-guided combined treatment using cryoablation and bone graft substitute. To induce bone mineralization as early as possible, the cyst cavity was filled with bone graft substitute. Technical success of the procedure was evaluated, and clinical success was defined as satisfactory clinical symptom relief using visual analogue scale (VAS). Radiologic success was defined as early BC remineralization on radiographic studies. Detailed demographic data with lesion location, size, time to and degree of BC mineralization, complications, clinical outcomes, and radiological follow-up were retrospectively assessed. Results Technical success was 100% achieved in all patients. BC mineralization was observed in all patients, with a median time to reach 80% mineralization at 6 months, with one patient reaching 80% at 5 months and another reaching 100% at 3 months. A significant drop in VAS was observed in all patients, reflecting significant pain relief. There were no major complications. The median follow-up period was 31.5 months, with a minimum follow-up of 5 months and a maximum follow-up of 3 years. Conclusion Percutaneous image-guided combined treatment with cryoablation and bone graft substitute for symptomatic BC is technically feasible and was safe in this limited series.