Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a relatively new technique to produce cell death by radiowaves (460– 480 kHz) caused by an alternating current emitted from the tip of a needle electrode and causing local ions vibration producing heat. In orthopaedic fields RFA has been proposed for the treatment of osteoid osteoma and painful metastases.

Methods: 121 patients with a clinical and radiographic accerted osteoid osteoma have been treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation at our institutions from 1998 till December 2005. Average age of the patients was 23 years. Preoperative symptoms lasted 10 months on average. The osteoid osteoma was localized at the limbs in 111 cases, at the pelvis in 4 cases and at the spine in 6 cases.

Results: At follow up we had 3 cases of recurrences and 2 fair results with a total of 5 unsuccessful cases. The fair results were due to a mistake of radiological indication and one case of ineffectively ablation. We observed 3 cases of skin burns in tibia with superficial infections: 2 cases resolved without treatment while the latter case showed initial bone infection and needed surgical revision.

Conclusion: Percutaneous RFA of osteoid osteoma proved to be a successful treatment in more than 95% of the cases with a low complication rate.