Spinal osteoid osteoma: efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and complications of CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of spinal osteoid osteoma (OO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2002 and 2012, a total of 61 patients (46 male and 15 female, mean age 26.4 ± 12.7 years) were subjected to RFA for spinal OO. The diagnosis of OO was made after a period of pain and symptoms of 20.6 ± 14.4 months. RFA was performed under conscious sedation and local analgesia. Clinical symptoms were evaluated at 3, 6, and12 months, and at the end of the time of the present investigation. Mean follow-up was 41.5 ± 7.1 months. RESULTS: The primary efficacy of RFA, complete regression of symptoms, was obtained in 57 out of 61 patients (93.4%). Four out of 61 (6.5%) patients showed a relapse of OO (after 3 months); 2 out of 4 were subjected to a second RFA, the remaining ones were subjected to surgery. There was one complication (case of lower limb paresthesia for 30 days after the ablation) and one possible complication (a disc herniation). CONCLUSION: CT-guided RFA is an excellent treatment for spinal OO. Our data suggest that this procedure should be considered for the first stage of therapy for this disease.

[Benign tumours and tumour-like lesions of the bone : General treatment principles]. / Benigne Tumoren und tumorähnliche Läsionen des Knochens : Allgemeine Behandlungsprinzipien.

BACKGROUND: Benign bone lesions are much more common than malignant lesions. Some benign bone tumors have a characteristic and typical radiographic appearance, while others are more challenging. Therapy of benign bone tumors differs greatly. While the majority of benign bone tumors do not require surgical therapy, other specific lesions, e. g. aneurysmal bone cysts or giant cell tumors (GCT) of the bone require surgery due to their locally aggressive behavior. DIAGNOSTICS: The major challenge for the radiologist and/or pathologist is the differentiation between a benign and low-grade malignant lesion (e. g. enchondroma versus low-grade chondrosarcoma) for which all available clinical and radiographic information is mandatory. Therefore, surgical therapy is rather more often performed than necessary due to uncertainty in many cases. THERAPY: Novel systemic therapies are available for fibrous dysplasia and GCT of the bone: Fibrous dysplasia can be treated with bisphosphonates, and GCT responds to denosumab. In fact, denosumab has been approved for the treatment of irresectable GCT. Osteoid osteoma is fairly easy to recognize and also to treat given the characteristic clinical presentation and rapid and effective response to local therapy (possible as percutaneous thermo-/laser ablation). In summary, several therapeutic options exist for benign bone tumors, and the choice depends upon the tendency/risk of local recurrence, the rate of surgical complications, options for defect reconstruction, postoperative functional deficits, and specific patient characteristics.

Chondromyxoid fibroma; experience of 36 cases of an intriguing entity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinico-pathological features and treatment options of chondromyxoid fibroma patients. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, and comprised data of all cases of chondromyxoid fibroma of bone diagnosed between 1996 and 2013.The diagnosis had been made mostly histopathologically, but also included patients in whom preoperative incisional biopsies had been used. Histopathological and radiological findings along with various treatment options and follow-up was recorded on a proforma. RESULTS: Of the total 36 patients,14(39%) were females and 22(61%) were males, with an overall mean age ± of standard deviation 20.9 years ± 9.8 (range: 6-51 years). Diagnosis was made histopathologically in 27(75%) patients and biopsy was used in 9(25%) cases. The most common site of involvement was tibia in 16(44.4%). The main presenting symptom was pain in 30(83.3%) and/or swelling in 6(16.6%). Radiological examination revealed no foci of soft tissue involvement. Bizarre large atypical cells were seen in 14(39%) cases and osteoid formation in 2(5.5%), leading to extreme difficulty in diagnosis. Treatment options included wide resection and marginal excisionin 22(61%) cases, intra-lesional curettage in 14(39%). The mean ± standard deviation follow-up was 48.8 ± 40.2 months (range: 8-152 months). Follow-up details were available only for 19(53%) patients. Among them, recurrence occurred in 7(36.8%) patients. No functional loss developed after surgical treatment, but 3(16%) patients developed wound-site infection. CONCLUSIONS: Chondromyxoid fibroma is clinically and histopathologically rare and difficult to diagnose because of the absence of typical diagnostic features in every case.

Expansive Central Ossifying Fibroma of the Right Mandible.

This case report discusses a 28-year-old patient who presented with a large expansile lesion of the right mandible. A maxillofacial CT showed a 6.7 x 9.1 x 7.6 cm right mandibular cystic mass containing an internal matrix of ground glass bone, representing a huge odontogenic keratocyte. Upon biopsy of the lesion, the specimen consisted of non-decalcified irregular fragments of cemento-osseous material, embedded in a minimally hemorrhagic, cellular fibrous tissue stroma, suggestive of central ossifying fibroma. This case presents an ossifying fibroma that far exceeds the average size of these masses, which typically range from 1.0 to 2.5 cm at its greatest dimension. The immense size of the lesion seen in this case is rarely encountered. This case also helps to emphasize the importance of timely diagnosis and complete resection of the lesion to prevent mass recurrence and possible malignant transformation.

An Uncommon Presentation of Ossifying Fibroma in the Maxilla.

Ossifying fibromas are rare, benign, nonaggressive fibro-osseous lesions that manifest in the craniofacial region. Ossifying fibromas are benign tumors of bone, commonly involving the posterior dentate mandible in middle-aged individuals with a female predilection. Clinical manifestations are an asymptomatic expansion of the dentate mandible, with infrequent maxillary lesions. Benign fibro-osseous lesions of the maxilla exhibit similar histopathological findings. Cone-beam computed tomography scan plays an important role in diagnosing and understanding the invasiveness of this lesion. This case report describes an uncommon presentation of ossifying fibroma in the posterior maxilla in an adult male patient. Treatment consisted of surgical excision, and wound healing was uneventful during the one-year postoperative follow-up period.

Rare Case of Osteochondroma on the Dorsal Aspect of the Scapula.

Osteochondroma, often referred to as exostosis, is the most common benign bone tumor characterized by a bony protuberance surrounded by a cartilaginous surface. Most osteochondromas are found on the metaphysis of long bones, with the dorsal aspect of the scapula being a rare site of occurrence for an exostosis. Radiographic imaging, preferably through MRI or CT, assists in the identification of benign growth; however, a definitive diagnosis requires a biopsy. Open surgical resection and arthroscopic excision are the definitive treatment modalities of the nidus. Postoperative care requires immobilization of the limb for two months, with at least four months being the appropriate timeline for complete recovery.