[Benign bone tumors in the growth years--osteoid osteoma and osteoblastoma]

Osteoid osteoma (ICD: 9191/0) and osteoblastoma (ICD: 9200/0) are closely related entities of osteoblastic-type tumors. Osteoid osteoma is a small benign (lesion 1-2 cm or less) neoplasm that is richly vascularized. Nerve fibers within the tissue surrounding the nidus lead to the characteristic pain. A typical finding is the perifocal osseous reaction around the nidus. Osteoblastoma is a progressively growing lesion of a diameter larger than 2 cm; it is sometimes painful and is characterized by the absence of any reactive perifocal bone formation. For both tumors the treatment is complete surgical excision. If the nidus of the osteoid osteoma is removed, the patient will be free of pain. For the osteoblastoma the treatment depends on the stage and localization of the tumor. Forty-seven patients with osteoid osteoma and 10 patients with osteoblastoma have been treated in Heidelberg since 1980. The radiological investigations and surgical treatment are discussed.