Radiofrequency Ablation Destroys Benign Bone Tumors

In 91% of those treated in the study, presented at the 32nd annual scientific meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), held on March 2, 2007, in Seattle, WA, USA, the treatment stopped patients' pain immediately, with no post-procedure complications.

This nonsurgical technique--radiofrequency ablation (RFA)--heats and destroys the nerve endings in the tumor that were causing pain. It also preserves the patient's healthy bone, prevents major surgery, and eliminates the need for lengthy rehabilitation and recovery. The interventional radiologist can visualize the tumor with computed tomography (CT) imaging and insert the needle into the precise area while monitoring the heat, thereby ensuring that the entire tumor is destroyed and will not grow back.

"Our research showed the interventional treatment's success rate is as good as surgery's, but without the risk. Plus, almost all of our patients walked out of the hospital within hours of the procedure pain-free,” stated interventional radiologist Eran Hayeems, M.D., from Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto, Canada). This treatment is available throughout the United States, is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved.

In RFA, heat is delivered directly into the tumor via a probe that is inserted through the skin using CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and/or ultrasound imaging for guidance. From the tip of the needle, radiofrequency energy is transmitted into the targeted tissue where it produces heat and kills the tumor. RFA is a nonsurgical, localized treatment that spares healthy tissue without any systemic side effects. RFA can be performed without affecting the patient's overall health and most people can resume their usual activities in a few days.

Osteoid osteomas are comparatively rare benign bone tumors that affect mostly young people (teens to 20s) who are otherwise healthy. They are three times more common in males than females.

The study involved 26 patients, 19 male and 7 female, with a mean age of 29. Twenty-three of the patients had lower extremity or pelvic lesions, and three had upper extremity or scapular lesions. The procedure was technically successful in 100% of the cases with no peri- or post-procedural complications. In 91% of the patients treated, there was resolution of pain.


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