MRgFUS of osteoid osteoma started at the Rizzoli

Background Osteoid osteoma is a bone-producing lesion frequently localized in long bones. The most common presenting symptom is pain with nocturnal exacerbation, responsive to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [1]. Minimally invasive treatment options have become the standard of care for osteoid osteoma and at present radiofrequency ablation is the treatment of choice [2]. Only one preliminary study has been performed using magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) to treat osteoid osteoma showing MRgFUS to be effective for pain relief through thermal cell death and periosteal denervation induced by cortical heating relative to acoustic energy absorption [3]. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of MRgFUS in treating osteoid osteoma and to highlight potential benefits and limitations provided by this technology. Materials and methods Seven patients affected by osteoid osteoma were consecutively recruited for MRgFUS (ExAblate 2100, InSightec, Israel on 1.5 T Signa Twin Speed MR system, GE, USA). The diagnosis of osteoid osteoma was based on typical clinical and imaging findings (CT and MRI) . Pain and function were scored before and after MRgFUS (VAS – 0-10 scale), and any intraand post-procedure complication or adverse effect was recorded. Initial follow-up included clinical assessment at discharge, and every month.