Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for osteoid osteoma: How we do it.
OBJECTIVE
To describe our technique for performing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in osteoid osteoma and to evaluate the results of treatment.


METHODS
We evaluated 40 patients in whom RFA was performed for osteoid osteomas between October 2005 and February 2008. The lesions were located in the femur (n = 22), tibia (n = 10), humerus (n = 2), acetabulum (n = 2), radius (n = 1), fibula (n = 1), patella (n = 1), and calcaneum (n = 1). The procedure was performed using a standard technique.


RESULTS
Technical success was achieved in all patients, with intranidal localization of the needle and complete ablation. All patients were fully weight bearing 2-3 h after the procedure. Successful pain relief was achieved in all patients within 48 h. Immediate complications included a case of minor thermal skin burn and a small cortical chip fracture, which healed on its own. There were no delayed complications. The average follow-up period was 12 months. Two patients (5% of cases) had recurrence of pain after intervals of 5 and 8 months, respectively, following the ablation; this was due to recurrence of the lesion. Complete pain relief was however achieved after a second ablation in both cases. Thus, our primary and secondary clinical success rates were 95 and 100%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
RFA is a safe, quick, minimally invasive, and extremely effective method for the management of osteoid osteomas.
Jankharia
Bhavin
B
Radiologists, Piramal Diagnostics - Jankharia Imaging.
Burute
Nishigandha
N