[Osteoid osteoma and osteoblastoma]

A follow-up study, based on clinical, radiological and pathological information was performed of 20 patients who had suffered from an osteoid osteoma and of three patients who had been treated for an osteoblastoma in the period 1978-1988. 50% of the patients mentioned both pain at night and a good reaction to salicylates. In 87% of the cases a correct diagnosis was made with the aid of conventional radiography, tomography and bone scanning. Primary treatment consisted of intracapsular (mostly piecemeal) excision in all cases. A local recurrence was observed in one patient with osteoid osteoma and in two with osteoblastoma. At the time of this follow-up study none of the 23 patients had complaints. Histopathological examination did not reveal any difference between the two types of bone tumour.