Introduction

CT guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermo coagulation is the treatment of choice for osteoid osteomas. Good results with a low complication rate have been shown for spinal lesions. When lesions are within close proximity to neurological structures or if patients have radicular symptoms surgery rather than radiofrequency ablation has been advocated. We present our experience of radiofrequency ablation of spinal osteoid osteomas which are less than 5mm from neurological structures, including those causing radicular symptoms.

Simple bone cysts are relatively common in children. When they present to a musculoskeletal oncology unit, they are usually treated by a variety of methods that range from observations following fracture to surgically curettage. The outcome is usually good.

Very little is written in the literature regarding adults with a cystic bone lesion.

We present 10 consecutive skeletally mature patients who presented with a benign cystic bone lesion. The mean age at diagnosis was 38 years (20–60 years). Three patients has a cyst in the foot, three in the hip, two in the knee, one in the pelvis and the remainder in the shoulder. Full work up, including biopsy, was performed in all cases. All hip lesions required internal fixation for actual or impending fractures. The average follow up was 1.5 years. The surgical outcome was good in all cases.

The histological features are similar in all cases. Cementum, as found in Unicameral Bone Cysts, is not seen. This may present a new entity that is not described in the literature.

Introduction

Chondroblastomas are rare bone tumours accounting for approximately 1% of all benign bone lesions. They occur in children and adolescents and are more frequent in males.

The conventional treatment for chondroblastomas is surgery, however, this can be difficult and disabling due to the apo- or epiphyseal location. Surgery is curative in most cases, but recurrence rates of 10%–35% have been reported in the literature. Radiofrequency ablation is well established in the treatment of osteoid osteomas and painful bone metastases. We report our experience with the use of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of chondroblastomas.

Objective

To evaluate the rise in impedance during percutaneous radiofrequency thermo coagulation (PRFTC) of osteoid osteomas as a predictor of local recurrence.

Introduction

Enchondromas located in the phalangeal bones may be more cellular than non-digital locations necessitating clinical and radiological correlation to determine diagnosis. Atypical enchondromas have increased cellularity and atypia relative to simple enchondromas but no evidence of permeation. Chondrosarcomas of the phalanges are thought to have a more indolent course than chondrosarcomas in other locations. The aim of the study was to determine the outcome of atypical enchondromas and grade 1 chondrosarcomas of the phalanges treated surgically.

CT guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation is the treatment of choice for osteoid osteomas. Good results with a low complication rate have been shown for spinal lesions. When lesions are within close proximity to neurological structures or if patients have radicular symptoms surgery rather than radiofrequency ablation has been advocated. We present our experience of radiofrequency ablation of spinal osteoid osteomas which are less than 5mm from neurological structures, including those causing radicular symptoms.

Data was collected prospectively on all patients with a spinal osteoid osteoma within 5mm of nerve roots or the spinal cord as measured on CT scanning.

There were nine patients, five female and four male with a mean age of 15 years. Four tumours were located in the thoracic spine, three in the lumbar spine and two in the cervical spine. The mean distance to the nearest neurological structure was 3mm. Radicular symptoms were present in two patients. The mean number of probe positions used was two. Lesions were heated to 90 degrees for 5 minutes for each probe position. There were two cases of recurrence, both treated successfully with one further procedure each. There were no cases of neurological injury. The two patients with radicular symptoms had full resolution of their symptoms. At a mean follow up of 2 years following treatment all patients are asymptomatic.

Radiofrequency ablation can be safely performed to treat osteoid osteomas located within 5mm of neurological structures and has a low rate of recurrence.