Osteoid osteoma is a rare bone tumor initially described by Jaffe in 1935.1 It is characterized as a bone-producing tumor that is most frequently observed in the lower extremities of children or young adults (11-22 years). Osteoid osteoma is differentiated from osteoblastoma according to size. Osteoid osteoma is smaller than 1.5 centimeters in diameter.2
In approximately 10% to 25% of the cases,3–8 the tumor is observed in the vertebral column with a predilection for posterior elements of the vertebrae.9–11 In only 10% of the cases in which the spine is affected12 is it found in the vertebral body, but involvement of the spine is more common in the lumbar vertebrae.12,13 Here the disease is characterized by localized pain in the affected vertebra,14,15 and possibly by radiating pain similar to a disc hernia,9,16 although without other findings in the physical and neurological evaluation.17 The pain is generally worse during the night and improves with the use of non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs.18
Scoliosis secondary to pain and muscular spasms19 is a common finding in affected adolescents (63% to 70%). If treatment is delayed, scoliosis may become a complication since the curve may become structured through asymmetric inhibition of the growth of the vertebral epiphysis.13,17,20,21 The tumor is generally located at the apex of the deformity.18,19 When the fourth or fifth lumbar vertebra is involved, it is generally associated with pelvic obliquity.18
The tumor niche, even when small, can generally be observed by means of scintigraphy with technetium.22 It is possible to identify the lesion on tomographic sections of thickness less than 1.5 centimeters and magnetic resonance images (MRI). Osteoid osteoma is better seen on MRI because of its high signal in the bone around the lesion in sections with T2 weighting, thus demonstrating local edema.22
CASE REPORTA 44-year-old female patient sought orthopedic attendance because of constant lumbar pain that had lasted for two years with progressive worsening. She reported that the pain was more intense at night, but did not worsen with movement or any pain crises during the day. Her pain did not radiate to the lower limbs or other regions. There was no history of trauma, fever, weight loss, or sphincter alterations. She had previously undergone treatment with non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs, with improvement only while she was using the medications. On physical evaluation, she had pain on palpation of the fourth lumbar vertebra, without deformity. Neurological and vascular examinations did not present alterations.
Radiography of the lumbar spine did not reveal abnormalities. Scintigraphy using Tc99m demonstrated increased uptake on the left side of the vertebral body of the fourth vertebra (figure 1). Computed tomography of the lumbar spine revealed an area of hypoattenuation surrounded by an area of hyperattenuation (bone sclerosis), suggestive of an osteogenic tumor (figures 2 and 3). Complementary examination using MRI demonstrated a signal alteration of 1 cm diameter in the vertebral body of the fourth lumbar vertebra, close to the base of the left pedicle, surrounded by an area of signal compatible with bone edema (figures 4 and 5). The anamnesis data, physical evaluation, and complementary examinations suggested the presence of osteoid osteoma in the vertical body of the fourth lumbar vertebra.
A tomography-guided biopsy was performed, and material was collected for cultures, pathological studies in paraffin, and fast freezing (in print). Pathological study of frozen sections ruled out the presence of neoplastic cells. At the same time, minimally invasive destruction of the tumor was performed through a pedicullar approach, via an Arthrocare® radiofrequency probe set at 80°. The correct positioning of the probe was confirmed with computed tomography (figure 6). The histopathological examination of paraffin sections confirmed the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma (figure 7). There was no bacterial growth in the cultures collected.
After the procedure, the patient was allowed to walk with the use of a Putti jacket. The jacket was used for six weeks, and the patient's pain progressively improved. One year after the procedure, computed tomography did not demonstrate any tumor, and the patient did not report any lumbar pain.
DISCUSSIONOsteoid osteoma in the vertebral column is more frequent in young adults (11-22 years)1 and is also more common in the posterior elements of the vertebra.10 The case in question did not present the typical epidemiology.
The natural history of osteoid osteoma demonstrates the possibility of spontaneous cure of the lesion after two to eight years. However, intense pain and the risk of secondary scoliosis20 justify surgical treatment in selected cases. The surgical treatment consists of en-bloc resection to remove the niche and the sclerosis halo.10,23,24
Osteoid osteoma can usually be diagnosed through computed tomography. It demonstrates a radiolucent nidus surrounded by a dense reactive rim of cortical bone which is usually less than 1 centimeter in diameter.25 However, the definitive diagnosis must be made by histopathological examination.22 Biopsy of the lesion and resection of the tumor niche aided by intraoperative computed tomography has been described by several authors.26–28
Radiofrequency ablation was initially described by Rosenthal et al. Recently, it has been successfully used in minimally invasive treatment of osteoid osteoma,15,29–33 with fewer complications compared to surgical treatment.15 However, the efficacy of this procedure still needs to be analyzed with a larger case series.