Since Virchow first described the unicameral bone cyst (UBC) in 1876, several methods for management were proposed. Currently performed surgical procedures include curettage combined with bone grafting, allografting with freeze-dried crushed cortical bone, use of homologous cancellous bone chips, the application of high-porosity hydroxyapatite, and cryosurgery. Decompression with multiple drill holes and intralesional injections of either steroids or bone marrow have also been used to treat UBC, with variable success rates. Elastic stable intramedullary nailing for the treatment of UBC in long bones has been rapidly gaining popularity. Elastic stable intramedullary nailing for the treatment of a UBC was performed in 56 patients between 1994 and 2003. The follow-up is between 2.1 and 11 years. Nine children were excluded because of short period of follow-up or were lost. The study population consisted of 47 children. The cyst was located in the humerus in 36 patients, in the femur in 11. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 8.9 years. Results were evaluated on plain radiographs according to the classification system of Capanna et al. In our study population of 47 UBCs, 31 (65.9 %) were classified as completely healed, and 16 (34.1%) were healed with residual radiolucency. No recurrence or no response was observed. Each lesion responded to treatment after the nailing. This method can solve in time the pathology, and we feel that, with skilled hands, this method is the best one for UBC treatment in the long bones of the children.

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The rapid spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy has dramatically impacted the National Healthcare System, causing the sudden congestion of hospitals, especially in Northern Italy, thus imposing drastic restriction of almost all routine medical care. This exceptional adaptation of the Italian National Healthcare System has also been felt by non-frontline settings such as Pediatric Orthopaedic Units, where the limitation or temporary suspension of most routine care activities met with a need to maintain continuity of care and avoid secondary issues due to the delay or suspension of the routine clinical practice. The Italian Society of Pediatric Orthopaedics and Traumatology formulated general and specific recommendations to face the COVID-19 outbreak, aiming to provide essential care for children needing orthopaedic treatments during the pandemic and early post-peak period, ensure safety of children, caregivers and healthcare providers and limit the spread of contagion.

A rare case of vertebral eosinophilic granuloma (C4) causing spinal cord compression is reported. The clinical, histological and radiological features of this pathological entity are discussed. After surgery a complete neurological recovery was observed. The value, in selected cases, of surgical treatment with total removal of the tumour and reconstruction of the spine to ensure spinal stability and to prevent irreversible neurological deficit is emphasized.