Osteoid osteoma of the spine: CT-guided monopolar radiofrequency ablation

CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and laser photocoagulation have become the methods of choice for the treatment of all osteoid osteomas except those in contact with neural structures. We report 10 patients with spinal osteoid osteoma adjacent to the neural elements treated with 12 sessions of CT-guided monopolar radiofrequency ablation. The size range of the lesion was 3-14 mm (mean, 7.5 mm) and the distance between the nidus and the adjacent spinal cord or nerve root was 2-12 mm (mean, 5 mm). No intact cortex between the tumor and the spinal cord or nerve roots constituted an exclusion criterion because of a higher risk of undesirable neurotoxic effects. Patients were under general anesthesia. After location of the lesion, a 11G-bone biopsy was introduced into the nidus. The radiofrequency electrode was inserted through the biopsy needle and heated at 90 degrees C for 4 min. Primary success was obtained in eight patients. At follow-up (mean, 19.5 months; range, 6-24 months), pain persisted in two patients after 2 months. Both of them were re-treated. All patients are currently pain-free and complications were not detected. In our opinion, radiofrequency ablation can also be considered the treatment of choice for spinal osteoid osteoma.