Osteoid osteoma: CT-guided percutaneous resection and follow-up in 38 patients.

PURPOSE: To reevaluate at medium term the results of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous resection of osteoid osteomas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients who had undergone treatment by means of this technique were reexamined with a mean follow-up of 3.7 years. The short- and medium-term clinical course and histologic features of the resection specimens were analyzed.

RESULTS: The bone fragment could be analyzed in all cases, and the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma was confirmed in 28 patients (74%). A different diagnosis was made in six patients: mucoid cyst, subchondral arthritic geode, fibrous dysplastic lesion, focal osteochondritis, or focal chronic osteomyelitis. Cure was obtained in 32 patients (84%), whatever the cause. Complications, generally minor and transient, were observed in nine patients (24%). The most severe complications were two femoral fractures and one focal chronic osteomyelitis due to Staphylococcus aureus infection.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirm the efficacy of percutaneous resection of osteoid osteomas and the possibility of using this method for successful treatment of other small bone lesions.