Spinal osteoid osteoma recurring as an aggressive osteoblastoma

We report an uncommon case of osteoid osteoma recurring as an aggressive osteoblastoma of the spine. A 15-years-old male consulted in our department with long-term painful scoliosis. The CT-scans and MRI revealed a sclerotic bone forming tumor of 7mm diameter consistent with a osteoid osteoma. A percutaneous radiofrequency ablation was performed with complete resolution of the symptoms. After 6 months, the symptoms recurred. A new CT and a MRI showed a growth of the nidus on the right L4 lamina, with a size of 15mm. Therefore, a marginal resection by laminectomy of L4 was performed. Pathology confirmed an epithelioid osteoblastoma. A year later, subsequent imaging studies showed a new recurrence with aggressive features and invasion of the spinal canal. The patient then underwent an "in block surgery" needing concurrent stabilization of the spine. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of epithelioid osteblastoma.

Diagnosis and treatment of hindfoot osteoid osteoma: A therapeutic method for each case

OBJECTIVES

1) to set a reminder of the diagnostic approach to osteoid osteomas (OOs) of the foot; 2) to define the indications of treatment for hindfoot OOs.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

5 OOs were checked (3 cases located in the talus and two cases in calcaneus). The diagnosis was established by clinical and imaging data. In all cases, a calcified nidus was identified on CT, perilesional bone oedema on MRI and focal scintigraphic uptake. Two cases were treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and 3 cases with surgical resections: two open surgeries and one arthroscopic surgery. Clinical and oncological outcomes were evaluated at the end of the follow-up.

RESULTS

No complications were reported. The clinical outcome was excellent in all cases. One patient was initially treated with open surgery and then subsequently with RFA due to failure of the procedure. There were no recurrences after an average follow-up time of 4 years and 8 months (range, 1-12 years).

DISCUSSION

Hindfoot OOs are uncommon and their diagnosis is based on clinical data in conjunction with characteristic imaging findings. Their treatment choices depend on the location of the nidus and relationships with nearby anatomical structures.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnosis of an OO of the hindfoot can be ensured when the epidemiological, clinical and imaging data are compatible with this pathological entity. RFA is indicated for intracortical or cancellous cases in which the nidus is more than 1cm off the skin and significant neurovascular structures. For all other cases an open surgical resection or arthroscopic resection would be the first choice.

[Use of radioguided surgery in the surgical treatment of osteoid osteoma]

OBJECTIVE

Osteoid osteoma is the third most common benign bone tumor and complete surgical resection is definitive treatment. There are a limited number of publications on the use of radioguided surgery in this type of lesion. To assess the utility of radioguided surgery in our environment as a method of surgical treatment of this tumor.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 12 patients (2 women and 10 men, age range 9-44 years) with clinical and radiological suspicion of osteoid osteoma. Bone scintigraphy showed foci of pathology uptake compatible with suspected lesion in the femur (4 cases), tibia (3), vertebral column (3), humerus (1) and talus (1). Subsequently patients underwent surgical treatment by radioguided surgery after injection of a dose of (99m)Tc-hydroxy diphosphonate. The nidus was removed using gamma probe and mini gamma camera, considering the technique to be completed when its counts decreased to the levels of the surrounding bone counts.

RESULTS

Lesions were located in all patients (12 of 12), and were confirmed histologically in 8 of them, including an osteoblastoma. The cure rate was 100%, based on the disappearance of pain after a minimum follow-up of 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Use of radioguided surgery in the surgical treatment of osteoid osteoma showed satisfactory results, with 100% efficiency in both lesion location and outcome of treatment and without major postoperative complications.

Radiofrequency thermal ablation of osteoid osteomas of the proximal femur. Usefulness of ultrasound guidance in selected cases

PURPOSE

To review symptoms and imaging findings of proximal femoral osteoid osteomas (OO); to analyse the results of a thermal ablation technique for radiofrequency of the nidus in this location; and to describe usefulness of ultrasound guidance in selected cases.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Descriptive and retrospective study consisting of 8 patients with OO in the proximal epiphysis of the femur, which were treated by thermal ablation of the nidus with radiofrequency waves from 1998 to 2004.

RESULTS

The mean pain period until the performance of the thermal ablation was 11.5 months (range 5-18 months). There were no complications, and all patients stated that the pain was gone by the day following the procedure, with some discomfort during the first week, except for one where it lasted more than one month due to technique difficulties. At present, with a mean follow up of 6 years and 2 months (range 6-190 months), all patients remain asymptomatic and live a rigorous normal life.

DISCUSSION

Thermal ablation with CT-guided radiofrequency waves is a safe, effective and efficient procedure.

CONCLUSION

Normal appearance of a proximal femoral OO does not differ significantly from other location osteomas and its diagnosis is easier with previous knowledge. Thermal ablation of the nidus with radiofrequency waves, that may be performed using ultrasound guidance, appears to be the elective treatment of choice due to its efficiency and minimum morbidity.