Radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteoma: initial experience with a new monopolar ablation device

The purpose of this article is to report our initial experience with the "off-label" use of a new monopolar radiofrequency (RF) probe for percutaneous ablation of osteoid osteomas. Seventeen patients (12 male and 5 female, mean age 24.8 [range 9-49]) with osteoid osteoma were treated by computed tomography (CT)-guided RF ablation (RFA). All procedures were performed with the patient under general aesthesia. After localization of the nidus, a 13G hollow drill was introduced into the nidus through a 7F introducer sheath. A monopolar 16.5G RF probe with a 9-mm active tip (Soloist; Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) was inserted through the introducer sheath and connected to the RF generator. Energy application was started at 2 W and subsequently increased every 2 min by 1 W to a maximum of 8 W. The procedure ended if impedance increased by 500 Ω. Mean duration of energy deposition was 14.2±3.3 min. Fourteen of 17 patients (82%) were free of symptoms at 29.9±14.8 (range 4 to 47) months of follow-up. The primary and secondary success rates were 83% and 100%, respectively. In 3 patients, recurrence of pain at 6 (n=1) and 15 (n=2) months after the initial procedure was successfully treated by reablation. There were no complications. Monopolar RFA using the Soloist probe is effective and safe for the treatment of osteoid osteoma. It results in comparable success rates as other monopolar or bipolar RF systems in the treatment of osteoid osteoma.