title: Radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of osteoid osteoma: results and complications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treatment of osteoid osteoma is effective and avoids the potential complications of open surgical resection. This study evaluates the efficacy of RFA at a single tertiary-care pediatric hospital and highlights an important complication.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of 21 cases of RFA in 21 children between 2004 and 2010 were reviewed retrospectively for demographic data, lesion site, access point and technique for ablation, clinical outcome and complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical follow-up was available for 17/21 children (81%) at an average of 17.0 months (range 0.5-86.1 months). No persistence or recurrence of pre-procedural pain was noted. Two children (9.5%) had a complication, including a burn to the local skin and muscle requiring local wound care, and a late subtrochanteric femur fracture treated successfully with open reduction internal fixation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RFA is a safe and effective alternative to surgical resection of the osteoid osteoma nidus. When accessing the proximal femur, the risk of late post-procedural fracture must be considered and discussed with the family. An understanding of biomechanical principles in the proximal femur might provide an effective strategy for limiting this risk.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors: Jeffrey
authors: J
authors: Earhart
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Wellman
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Donaldson
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Chesterton
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: King
authors: Joseph A
authors: JA
authors: Janicki
mesh_terms: D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002058:Burns, Electric / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010017:Osteoma, Osteoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome