[Percutaneous CT guided radio-frequency ablation of osteoid osteoma and osteoblastoma]

Osteoid osteoma (OO) is a benign osteoblastic bone lesion that causes severe local pain mainly at night, and usually responds to oral administration of NSAID. The lesion is located around the proximal thigh in more than 50% of the cases. Osteoblastoma is similar to OO in their histopathology features, but emerges frequently in the spine, and has a larger diameter than OO. Percutaneous CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is becoming the treatment of choice for osteoid osteoma and non-aggressive osteoblastoma in the last decade.

During the period 2005-2009, 38 patients were diagnosed with osteoid osteoma (n = 34), and osteoblastoma (n = 4). A total of 34 patients were treated with RFA using a water-cooled, variable ablation size tip. Two patients underwent an open procedure, and 2 had spontaneous remission.

Thirty three patients (97%) reported complete remission of their pain after a single treatment; one patient needed a second RFA treatment, and reported full remission of his symptoms after the 2nd treatment.

Percutaneous CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteoma and non-aggressive osteoblastoma is simple, safe, and reliable. Meticulous placement of the probe inside the tumor, and the usage of water-cooled, variable ablation size tip, improves the overall outcome and decrease complication rates.