Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with bone cyst in front leg treated by continuous decompression
By Lee, Eun-Sun et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2025·Department of Veterinary Surgery, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Continuous decompression treatment of unicameral bone cyst in a small-breed dog: A case report.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 1-year-old Maltese-Poodle mix was brought in for limping on the left front leg. X-rays and a CT scan showed a cyst in the bone of the left humerus, which was diagnosed as a unicameral bone cyst. To treat it, the vet performed surgery to remove the cyst and used a method called continuous decompression to prevent it from coming back. After the surgery, the dog wore a bandage for two weeks and was completely pain-free by the one-month follow-up. A year later, follow-up X-rays showed the bone had healed well with no signs of the cyst returning.
People also search for: dog limping left leg · unicameral bone cyst treatment · Maltese-Poodle leg pain
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report the long-term outcomes of continuous decompression for repairing a unicameral bone cyst in a dog. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMAL: A 1-year-old Maltese-Poodle mixed breed dog presented with left forelimb lameness. METHODS: A well-defined cyst in the left humeral condyle was detected on radiography and computed tomography. A lateral surgical approach revealed the cyst in the distal metaphysis of the left humerus. The attained cyst fluid and incisional biopsy led to the diagnosis of unicameral bone cyst. To prevent cyst expansion and recurrence, aspiration, open curettage, ethanol cauterization, and continuous decompression using introducer needles were performed. RESULTS: The dog recovered from surgery, and a Robert Jones bandage was retained for 2 weeks. The follow-up at 1 month showed resolution of lameness. At 12 months post-surgery, radiographs revealed increased cortical thickness and no recurrence of the cyst or lameness. CONCLUSION: Continuous decompression using introducer needles could be used to repair unicameral bone cysts. Small diameter introducer needles were especially useful, as the lesion was located at the joint. The procedures described in this report could be applied before other salvage procedures to promote healing and prevent recurrence.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40631634/