Interstitial laser photocoagulation for the treatment of osteoid osteoma -Results of a prospective study

We report the results of a prospective study of 23 patients in which inters titial laser photocoagulation (ILP) was used to treat an osteoid osteoma, I LP is a technique in which tumour tissue is destroyed by direct heating usi ng low-power laser light energy delivered by thin (400 mum) optical fibres which are introduced percutaneously into the tumour under image guidance. Pain was evaluated before operation and at the latest follow-up using a vis ual analogue scale with 0 denoting no pain and 10 the worst pain imaginable . The mean follow-up was for 15 months. The results showed that the mean pain score decreased from 7.5 before opera tion to 0.95 at the latest follow-up, Fourteen patients had no pain and eig ht had minor discomfort, not requiring analgesia. One patient required a se cond procedure because placement of the fibre had not been accurate enough and one developed recurrent symptoms eight months after treatment. All pati ents were satisfied with the operation because of the rapid resolution of p ain, the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, and the fact that ther e was no postoperative restriction of activity.