PREOPERATIVE CT LOCALIZATION AND MARKING OF OSTEOID OSTEOMA - DESCRIPTION OF A NEW TECHNIQUE

We describe a new technique for the preoperative localization of an os teoid osteoma nidus. Four lesions (mean patient age 26 years) were loc alized with CT. A needle was advanced into the cortex, methylene blue was injected, and a self-retaining localization wire was then left in place. A final CT image confirmed localization. The site of marking wa s identified intraoperatively by following the guide wire to the corti cal mark, permitting nidus excision with minimal resection of bone.