Percutaneous radio-frequency ablation of chondroblastoma: an effective alternative

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is a well known treatment for osteoid osteomas. But its use in treating chondroblastoma is not well established in literature. There have been few case reports of such treatment in recent radiology literature (Radiology 221(2): 463 - 468, 2001; Eur Radiol 3: 1 - 7, 2005). We report a case of chondroblastoma in proximal humerus in a 14 year old treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. At 6 month follow up the patient was asymptomatic. A repeat CT showed evidence of healing including resolution of the tumeral calcification. Repeat biopsy at this time showed no evidence of tumour recurrence. This minimally invasive treatment is an effective alternative to surgical curettage and packing, and should be considered the treatment of choice for suitable lesions.