Osteoid osteoma of the thumb: a case report

Osteoid Osteoma of the Hand: Surgical Treatment versus CT-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation

(1) Background: Osteoid osteoma (OO) is one of the most common benign bone tumors. This type of osteogenic tumor is generally characterized by a well-defined lytic area with a vascularized central nidus surrounded by sclerosis and bone thickening. The wrist and hand bones are infrequent sites for osteoid osteoma: only 10% of the cases arise in these areas. Standard treatments are surgical excision and radio-frequency ablation (RFA), both with advantages and disadvantages. This study aimed to compare the two techniques to prove if RFA could be a potential alternative to surgery in the treatment of OO of the hand. (2) Methods: Patients treated for OO of the hand between January 2011 and December 2020 were evaluated and data was collected regarding the lesions' characteristics and the treatment outcome. Each patient was followed up for 24 months and VAS pain (Visual Analogue Scale), DASH (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand), and PRWE (Patient-Related Wrist Evaluation) scores were collected. (3) Results: A total of 27 patients were included in the study: 19 surgical and 8 RFA. Both treatments showed a significant improvement in pain and functionality. Surgery was associated with a higher complication rate (stiffness and pain), while RFA was associated with a higher recurrence rate (2/8 patients). RFA allowed for a speedier return to work. (4) Conclusions: We believe that osteoid osteoma treatment with RFA in the hand should be an available alternative to surgery as it allows rapid pain relief and a swift return to work. Surgery should be reserved for cases of diagnostic uncertainty or periosteal localization.

Osteoid Osteoma at the Proximal Diaphysis of the Fifth Metatarsal

The foot is rarely the focus of osteoid osteoma, and only a few of those cases are related to the fifth metatarsal. The present case demonstrates that atypical symptoms with suspicious findings on plain radiographs that are not associated with trauma must be analyzed carefully to determine the nature of the lesion and perform the precise treatment to obtain and sustain the cure. A 29-year-old man presented to the outpatient clinic with a 2-year history of chronic pain in the lateral aspect of his left forefoot. The onset was not related to trauma, surgery, local infection, osteomyelitis, or another entity regarding the proximal fifth metatarsal. The patient noted that the pain was aggravated at night and typically subsided with the use of salicylates or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Initial plain radiographs demonstrated cortical thickening and a lytic lesion at the proximal diaphysis of the fifth metatarsal. Because the pain relief was transient, we suspected an osteoid osteoma lesion, and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging manifested pathognomonic signs of subperiosteal osteoid osteoma. Diagnosis was followed by planning of the surgery that ended the patient's symptoms.

Imaging features of osteoid osteoma of the phalanges

OBJECTIVES

Osteoid osteoma (OO) of the phalanges is regarded as a difficult diagnosis to make, both clinically and radiologically. Our aim was to assess the imaging features of this relatively rare entity to assess for consistent imaging features.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of databases at our institutions was performed to identify patients with histologically confirmed OO of the phalanges. Radiographs were assessed for a nidus, surrounding sclerosis, periosteal reaction, cortical erosion and generalised soft tissue swelling. MRI scans were reviewed for visibility of the nidus; reactive marrow oedema; periostitis; and a soft tissue mass associated with the lesion.

RESULTS

Ten patients with OO occurring in a phalanx were identified. Nine out of ten patients (90%) were male. The mean age was 20 years (range 11-45). At radiography, a nidus was visible in 100% (10 out of 10) cases. Internal matrix within the nidus was seen in 60% (6 out of 10). Sclerosis surrounding the nidus was present in 90% (9 out of 10). Cortical erosion was identified in 10% (1 out of 10). Generalised swelling of the affected digit was noted in 100% (10 out of 10). Periosteal/cortical sclerosis was seen in 20% (2 out of 10). Of the 8 patients who had an MRI scan, the nidus was visible in 100% (8 out of 8). Reactive marrow oedema within the affected phalanx was present in 100% (8 out of 8). There was a soft tissue mass surrounding the affected phalanx in 75% (6 out of 8). Periosteal oedema was noted in 13% (1 out of 8).

CONCLUSION

Phalangeal OO demonstrates similar imaging appearances to OO at other locations in the majority of cases. An inflammatory soft tissue mass often accompanies the nidus at MRI.

Osteoid osteoma of the lunatum mimicking Kienböck's disease

Hands, especially lunatum, are involved very rarely with osteoid osteoma. This report presents an osteoid osteoma of the lunatum, which was previously misdiagnosed as Kienböck’s disease and had undergone surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging may lead the clinician to misdiagnose because of the excessive bone edema around the carpus. The operation should be planned according to radiography and computed tomography findings.

Osteoid osteoma of the phalanx and metacarpal bone: report of 17 cases

BACKGROUND

Osteoid osteoma (OO) is a slowly progressing benign osteoblastic tumour. In the hand, this tumour is rare. We propose a review of seventeen cases of OO of the phalanx and metacarpal bone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During the period, between 1998 and 2011, a total of seventeen OO in the hand were confirmed by the pathological examination. They were 10 women and 7 men with an average age of 29 years (age range 17-76). The most common site of the tumour was the proximal phalanx in ten cases, followed by middle phalanx in four cases and metacarpal bone in three cases. The diagnosis of OO was highly required by clinical history. Standard radiographs showed variable images, but computed tomography, and it was useful to facilitate diagnosis and pre-operative planning. All patients underwent surgery (the tumour resection and autogenous bone grafting). In post-operative, there was an immediate pain relief with complete resolution of all symptoms. No recurrence was observed during the last follow-up period of 4 years and 2 months.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of OO of the hand can be difficult, and it should be considered with bony pain or bony swelling, especially when the history is a chronic one. The CT scan allows visualisation and precise localisation of such benign tumour of the hand. The care should be taken to make the excision complete in order to avoid recurrence.