Doxycycline Injection Treatment for Unicameral Bone Cysts: a Case Series

Abstract

Background: Unicameral bone cysts (UBCs) are frequently associated with pathologic fracture due to aggressive osteolysis. Methods/Results: We present a case series (n=5) with complex or refractory bone cysts treated with doxycycline injections that exhibited increased ossification and symptom resolution at short term follow up with minimal side effects. Conclusions: In addition to its antibiotic properties, doxycycline is also known to inhibit matrix metalloproteinases, angiogenesis, and osteoclast activity suggesting that UBCs are dependent on MMP, VEGF or RANKL-mediated osteolysis. Further investigation is warranted regarding the use of doxycycline injections in UBCs.