Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Osteoid Osteoma under Guidance of Three-Dimensional Fluoroscopy

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the outcome of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation under guidance of 3-dimensional fluoroscopy in 17 patients with osteoid osteoma. Methods Records of 11 male and 6 female consecutive patients aged 4 to 28 (mean, 13.8) years who underwent radiofrequency ablation under guidance of 3-dimensional fluoroscopy for osteoid osteoma and were followed up for a mean of 15.8 (range, 12–28) months were reviewed. All patients had been treated with analgesics but failed to achieve lasting pain relief. Visual analogue score (VAS) for pain was assessed pre- and post-operatively. Absence of pain was considered recovery. Results The mean operating time was 55 (range, 20–95) minutes, and the mean length of hospital stay was 2.8 (range, 2–7) days. The mean amount of radiation was 390.2 (range, 330.5–423.6) mGy/cm. Relief of pain occurred within the first 24 hours in 11 patients and by the end of the first week in 3 patients. Pain persisted in 3 patients at one month; they underwent revision surgery and achieved complete recovery. The mean VAS for pain was 7.2 (range, 6–9) in 17 patients preoperatively and decreased to 0.64 (range, 0–2) in the 14 patients with pain relief and 0.66 (range, 0–1) in the 3 patients after revision surgery. Two patients had severe discharge from the wound secondary to fat necrosis, which resolved within a week with antibiotics and local dressings. No patient had cellulitis, vasomotor instability, neurovascular injury, fracture, or deep infection. Conclusion Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation under guidance of 3-dimensional fluoroscopy is a viable treatment option for osteoid osteoma.