Abstract

Background: Osteoid osteoma (OO) is a benign bone tumor accounting for 2%-3% of all primary bone neo plasms. While symptoms often improve with salicylates or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, definitive treatment might require surgical or minimally invasive intervention. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is considered the gold standard, and curettage offers direct removal of the nidus. This case series evaluated the efficacy and patient satisfaction outcomes of a combined percutaneous RFA and computed tomography (CT)-guided curettage technique.
Case Presentation: A consecutive case series of eight patients diagnosed with OO and treated at a single oncology center was presented. The treatment protocol consisted of three sequential steps: initial percutaneous RFA, CT-guided curettage, and a second session of percutaneous RFA. Each RFA session lasted approximately 10 minutes under CT guidance. Follow-up was conducted via outpatient visits or telephone consultations. Patient-reported outcomes were collected using an Arabic online questionnaire with informed consent. The mean satisfaction score was 9.0/10, with most patients reporting substantial pain relief and rating the treatment as “highly effective.” Five patients noted significant improvement in mobility and daily activities. Mean postoperative pain score during recovery was 4.25/10. Minor transient discomfort was the only reported side effect. No statistically significant differences were observed between gender in satisfaction (p-value = 0.733) or pain recovery scores (p-value = 0.835). All patients expressed willingness to repeat the procedure if necessary.
Conclusion: The combination of percutaneous RFA and CT-guided curettage appears to be a safe and effective option for managing osteoid osteoma, offering high patient satisfaction, substantial pain reduction, and minimal complications.

Key words: Biopsy, curettage, osteoid osteoma, radiofrequency ablation, case series