Arthroscopic removal of an osteoid osteoma of the talar neck

Osteoid osteoma is uncommonly located at the ankle joint level. Arthroscopic resection is an unusual treatment modality in this tumour situation. We report the case of a young man presenting with an osteoid osteoma of his talus neck. Diagnosis was made by MRI. Since the tumour was intraarticular and subperiosteal, it was arthroscopically removed. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. Recovery was uneventful; immediate and complete pain relief followed surgery and the patient remains asymptomatic several months after his operation. Arthroscopic techniques allow complete exploration of the joint and total excision of the tumour. This minimally invasive approach reduces infectious and functional risks (joint stiffness). Less invasive resection techniques should be advocated, when applicable, to achieve pathological diagnosis of the surgical specimen.