Radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteomas: analgesia and patient satisfaction in long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: To review the long term clinical outcomes in the treatment of osteoid osteoma (OO) using radiofrequency ablation (RFA).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our retrospective study included 59 patients who were treated in the period from April 2001 to December 2012 due to a symptomatic OO using RFA. Here, the occurrence of complications and postoperative recurrence, as well as postoperative patient satisfaction were examined. Patients satisfaction was assessed by means of a telephone interview with the visual analogue scale (VAS).
RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 50 months (2 - 116 months). The average size of the nidus was 6 mm (range 2 - 14 mm). After initial radiofrequency ablation 11.8 % (7/59) of patient showed a recurrence of symptoms. Symptoms could successfully be treated by a second ablation in 5 patients. Assisted success rate was therefore 96.6 % (57/59). The complication rate was 5.1 % (2 major and one minor complication). Furthermore we report a very high patient satisfaction and acceptance of therapy.
CONCLUSION: RFA is a very successful therapy of symptomatic OOs with a high patient satisfaction. KEY POINTS: ▶ Osteoid osteomas (OO) are rare benign bone tumors of the childhood and adolescence. ▶ Treatment of OOs with minimal-invasive radiofrequency ablation (RFA) shows a high patient satisfaction. ▶ RFA is by now the standard therapy of symptomatic OOs. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.