PURPOSE: To reevaluate at medium term the results of computed tomography (C
T)-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 diagnosi
s of osteoid osteoma was confirmed in 28 patients (74%). A different diagno
sis was made in six patients: mucoid cyst, subchondral arthritic geode, fib
rous dysplastic lesion, focal osteochondritis, or focal chronic osteomyelit
is. Cure was obtained in 32 patients(84%), whatever the cause. Complication
s, 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.