European multicentre study on technical success and long-term clinical outcome of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of spinal osteoid osteomas and osteoblastomas

PurposeTo evaluate technical success and long-term outcome of CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of spinal osteoid osteomas (OO) and osteoblastomas (OB) in six different European centres.MethodsEighty-seven patients with spinal OO (77) or OB (10) were treated with CT-guided RFA, after three-dimensional CT-guided access planning. Patient's long-term outcome was assessed by clinical examination and questionnaire-based evaluation including 10-point visual analogue scales (VAS) regarding the effect of RFA on severity of pain and limitations of daily activities. Clinical success was defined as a reduction of >30% in the VAS score and patient's satisfaction.ResultsOverall, RFA was technically successful in 82/87 cases (94.3%) with no major complications; clinical success was achieved in 78/87 cases (89.7%). The OO/OB were localized in the cervical (n=9/3), the thoracic (n=27/1), the lumbar (n=29/4), and the sacral spine (n=12/2). A decrease in severity of pain after RFA was observed in 86/87 patients (98.9%) with a persistent mean reduction of overall pain score from 8.040.96 to 1.46 +/- 1.95 (p