Percutaneous Cryotherapy for Treatment of Chondroblastoma: Early Experience

Enhanced bone healing using local cryostimulation: In vivo rat study

A short-term intense cooling through the skin causes a response of the body. Potentially, it can be used to enhance bone healing. The aim of this study is to evaluate an effectiveness of a bone defect cryostimulation in the Wistar rat model in vivo. Through holes with a diameter of 2.15 mm were formed in the cortical layer of the diaphysis of the hind paws of rats. Further animals were subjected to cryotherapy 1 and 2 times a week (up to 6 weeks). The local average skin surface temperature dropped from 28 to 14 °C. The decrease in temperature in a control point inside the biological tissue was 5.3 °C. Micro CT and histological analyses showed that cryostimulation twice a week is efficient treatment. In this case, there was an acceleration of maturation of the newly formed bone tissue replacing the defect region. In the control, the newly formed immature bone with a large number of osteocytes and vessels was detected. In the experiment, the newly formed bone had a more mature structure with signs of a compact bone (formation of Haversian canals, reduction in the number of osteocytes, appearance of gluing lines). Morphometric analysis has showed a 2-fold decrease of the relative vessels area near the defect region and an increase of 30% in the content of mast cells in the entire bone marrow and especially near the site of osteogenesis. Generally, the complete filling of the critical size defect and almost complete mineralization have been observed. This information is expected to be useful for understanding the effect-exposure correlation of the cryotherapy and in the design of the cryotherapy protocols.

Chondroblastoma treatment by radiofrequency thermal ablation: Initial experience and implementation

PURPOSE

To present our experience on the implementation of radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) for the treatment of chondroblastoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This case series includes 12 patients (10 males) with chondroblastoma using RFA under CT guidance. Tumours were located in the humeral head (3), femoral head (2), distal femoral epiphysis (4), tibial epiphysis (2) and calcaneus (1). Tumour size ranged from 12 to 60 mm (median: 33 mm). According to tumour size and location, monopolar electrode's active tip ranged from 1 to 3 cm. Dry and perfused ablation mode was used to treat smaller (6) and larger (6) lesions, respectively. Cementation was also made in 5 cases. Technical success was considered if the tumour was treated according to the protocol and complete ablation was achieved. Clinical success was assessed according to a visual analogue scale.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in 11 of 13 cases (83%) afters the first treatment. After a second treatment in the 2 failed cases, pain control was achieved in all cases eventually (100% of clinical success). Follow-up MRI demonstrated resolution of oedema in all cases, as well as a necrotic area extending beyond the outer edge of the lesion in all cases except one. Radiography or CT showed stability of the lesions, with increased sclerosis and no cortex collapse. In one case, a 4 cm shortening of the humerus was observed at the end of skeletal development (7 years after treatment). In another case, early hip osteoarthritis was developed (15 years after treatment). No other long-term complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

Successful treatment of chondroblastoma can be achieved by RFA. Cementoplasty adds strength to the ablated bone in weight bearing areas. MRI hallmarks associated with clinical success were resolution of bone marrow edema, and area of necrosis extending beyond the tumour edge. Radiography and CT proved to be useful in demonstrating cortex integrity.

Percutaneous cryoablation of chondroblastoma and osteoblastoma in pediatric patients

BACKGROUND

To review the safety and efficacy of percutaneous cryoablation for the treatment of chondroblastoma and osteoblastoma in the pediatric and adolescent population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review from 2016 to 2020 was performed to evaluate clinical and imaging response to percutaneous cryoablation in 11 symptomatic patients with diagnosis of chondroblastoma and osteoblastoma treated from two pediatric hospitals with at least 12-month follow-up. Technical success (correct needle placement and potential full coverage of the tumor with the planned ablation zone) and clinical success (relief of the symptoms) were evaluated. The primary objective was to alleviate pain related to the lesion(s). Immediate and late complications were recorded. Patients were followed in clinic and with imaging studies such as MRI or CT for a minimum of 6 months.

RESULTS

A total of 11 patients were included (mean 14 years, age range 9-17; male n = 8). Diagnoses were osteoblastoma (n = 4) and chondroblastoma (n = 7). Locations were proximal humerus (n = 1), femur condyle (n = 1), and proximal femur (n = 1) tibia (n = 3), acetabulum (n = 3), thoracic vertebra (n = 1) and lumbar vertebra (n = 1). Cryoablation was technically successful in all patients. Clinical success (cessation of pain) was achieved in all patients. No signs of recurrence were observed on imaging follow-up in any of the patients. One of the patients developed periprocedural right L2-L3 transient radiculopathy as major immediate complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous image-guided cryoablation can be considered potentially safe and effective treatment for chondroblastoma and osteoblastoma in children and adolescents.

Image-guided Cryotherapy for Musculoskeletal Tumors

BACKGROUND

This article represents a review of the use of image-guided cryotherapy in the treatment of musculoskeletal tumor lesions. Cryotherapy is able to induce a lethal effect on cancer cells through direct and indirect mechanisms. In this manuscript, we combined our experience with that of other authors who have published on this topic in order to provide indications on when to use cryotherapy in musculoskeletal oncology.

DISCUSSION

Image-Guided percutaneous cryotherapy is a therapeutic method now widely accepted in the treatment of patients with musculoskeletal tumors. It can be used both for palliative treatments of metastatic bone lesions and for the curative treatment of benign bone tumors, such as osteoid osteoma or osteoblastoma. In the treatment of bone metastases, cryotherapy plays a major role in alleviating or resolving disease-related pain, but it has also been demonstrated that it can have a role in local disease control. In recent years, the use of cryotherapy has also expanded for the treatment of both benign and malignant soft tissue tumors.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous cryotherapy can be considered a safe and effective technique in the treatment of benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors. Cryotherapy can be considered the first option in benign tumor lesions, such as osteoid osteoma, and a valid alternative to radiofrequency ablation. In the treatment of painful bone metastases, it must be considered secondarily to other standard treatments (radiotherapy, bisphosphonate therapy, and chemotherapy) when they are no longer effective in controlling the disease or when they cannot be repeated (for example, radiotherapy).

Interventional Techniques for Bone and Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Tumors: Current Practices and Future Directions - Part I. Ablation

Musculoskeletal (MSK) image-guided oncologic intervention is an established field within radiology. Numerous studies have described its clinical benefits, safety, cost effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and improved quality of life, thereby establishing image-guided oncologic intervention as a preferred pathway in treating patients presenting with specific benign MSK tumors. But there is a paradigm shift on the horizon because these techniques may also support established pillars (surgery, systemic treatment, radiotherapy) in the treatment of malignant MSK tumors. Unlike benign tumors, where they are used as primary therapy lines with curative intent, such interventions can be selected for malignant tumors as adjuvant treatment in painful or unstable bone or soft tissue lesions or as more palliative therapy strategies. Using examples from our clinical practices, we elaborate on the benefits of applying a multidisciplinary approach (traditionally involving MSK radiologists, oncologists, orthopaedic surgeons, microbiologists, pathologists, physiotherapists, and pain management experts), ideally within a sarcoma treatment center to deliver a patient-specific therapy plan and illustrate methods to assess the benefits of this model of care.In this article, we review the current repertoire of ablation techniques, demonstrate why such procedures offer value-based alternatives to conventional treatments of specific tumors, and reflect on future directions. Additionally, we review the advantages and limitations of each technique and offer guidance to improve outcomes.

French Multidisciplinary Approach for the Treatment of MSK Tumors

Several interventional treatments have recently been integrated into the therapeutic armamentarium available for the treatment of bone tumors. In some scenarios (e.g., osteoid osteoma), interventional treatments represent the sole and definitive applied treatment. Due to the absence of widely shared protocols and the complex multivariate scenarios underlying the clinical presentation of the remaining bone tumors including metastases, therapeutic strategies derived from a multidisciplinary tumor board are essential to provide effective treatments tailored to each patient. In the present review, we present the multidisciplinary therapeutic strategies commonly adopted for the most frequent bone tumors.

Chondroblastoma of the patella with pathological fracture in an adolescent: a case report

BACKGROUND

Chondroblastoma is a rare primary bone tumor of young people that generally occurs in the epiphyseal plate of long bones. To date, only 13 cases of patella with pathological fracture in chondroblastoma have been previously published.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 15-year-old male patient presented with acute pain in the left knee after an injury occurred while playing basketball. Plain radiographs and computed tomography showed a pathological fracture of the left patella with an osteolytic lesion (1.5 × 2 × 3 cm). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an expansile lesion within the patella with a slightly high signal on the T1-weighted image, a high signal on the T2-weighted image and soft tissue swelling in front of the patella. A ^m99Tc bone scintigraphy revealed moderate uptake. The preoperative diagnosis was chondroblastoma. This patient underwent intralesional meticulous extended curettage, adjuvant high-speed burr, 95% alcohol and electrotome treatment, autogenous iliac crest bone grafting, and internal fixation. A postoperative pathological diagnosis was chondroblastoma. The patient's function was satisfactory, and there was no sign of tumor recurrence. The internal fixator was good, with no loosening or migration observed at the last follow-up at 20 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Rarely, chondroblastoma of the patella can present with acute pain due to pathological fracture. We present the 14th such case in the literature to associate patellar chondroblastoma with pathological fracture. The patient was treated with curettage, inactivation, autogenous bone grafting, and internal fixation. A satisfactory therapeutic effect was obtained. This case may be beneficial to the diagnosis and treatment of chondroblastoma patella.

Have the difficulties and complications of surgical treatment for chondroblastoma of the adjoining knee joint been overestimated?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Chondroblastoma is difficult to treat as the tumor is surrounded by both articular cartilage and the epiphyseal plate. The differences in joint shape further complicate the problem. This retrospective study evaluates the efficacy of intraregional aggressive curettage and allogeneic bone grafting for treating chondroblastoma of the adjoining knee joint.

METHODS

From February 2010 to February 2017, 36 patients with chondroblastoma of the adjoining knee joint were identified. All patients were treated with intraregional aggressive curettage, phenolization, and allogeneic bone grafting. Follow-up for lesion healing, local recurrence, functional outcomes and secondary osteoarthritis were assessed both clinically and radiologically.

RESULTS

Thirty-six patients (mean age 17 years) were enrolled with a mean follow-up of 51.8 months (18-98 months). The tumor locations were as follows: distal femur (14), proximal tibia (20), and patella (2). Only 1 patient relapsed, 10 months post-operation. All patients had good bone healing. No knee varus or valgus deformity developed. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional score was 28.6 ± 1.1 post-operation. At the last follow-up, secondary osteoarthritis was found in 1 patient, the patient was asymptomatic.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraregional aggressive curettage, phenolization, and allogeneic bone grafting are effective for treatment of chondroblastoma of the adjoining knee joint.