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A benign cyst (osteitis fibrosa cystica localisata) of the upper end of the humeral shaft may be so large that fixation following curettage and packing with bone presents some difficulties, especially when the wall of the cyst is very thin and fracture is present or imminent.
Two such cysts were recently dealt with by me in a manner which I have not seen described heretofore. The method is presented because it seemed to meet the requirements, mechanical and therapeutic, in a satisfactory manner.
In each case (figs. 1 A and 2 A) the cyst was approached anteriorly, the biceps muscle being reflected medially, the deltoid muscle laterally. The periosteum was carefully reflected medially and laterally to a point about 3 cm. below the distal end of the cyst. A vertical slot was made in the anterior wall of the cyst, exposing the interior, and through this the fluid and the