Percutaneous radiofrequency coagulation of osteoid osteoma in children and adolescents

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteoma in children and adolescents. Twenty-three patients aged 4.5-19.5 years were retrospectively reviewed. All patients with lower limb lesions were able to bear full weight on their operated limb immediately after the procedure, and to resume their daily activities within 24-48 h. Pain disappeared immediately after surgery in 21 cases, and in lower limb lesions the gait was back to normal after an average of 5 days. No septic or neurovascular complications were observed. At an average follow-up of 3.5 years, all the patients including two cases of initial failure were free of pain and had a normal gait. Clinical healing was confirmed by computed tomography and bone scan performed in 12 cases. This precise and minimally invasive method is safe, effective and associated with reduced health care resources. It could be recommended as the treatment of choice for osteoid osteoma of the limbs in children and adolescents. (C) 2003 Lippincott Williams Wilkins.