Osteoid osteoma

What is an osteoid osteoma?

The term osteoid osteoma refers to a relatively common benign bone tumor that mostly occurs in adolescence. They are usually small tumors of up to one centimeter in diameter.

Where can an osteoid osteoma develop?

Although osteoid osteomas can affect the entire skeleton, the most common sites of this tumor are in the shaft of long tubular bones such as the femur or tibia. Especially in the upper part of the tibia, adjacent to the knee joint, this type of osteoid osteoma often develops. It may also affect the vertebral bodies causing a curvature or lateral bending of the spine.

Causes and symptoms

Based on current evidence, it is not possible to determine an exact cause. Most patients with osteoid osteoma suffer from severe persistent pain, which is generally worst at night. One of the main characteristics of the pain is that it responds very well to aspirin or other painkillers such as ibuprofen.

How are osteoid osteomas diagnosed?

Following a detailed consultation with the patient, a thorough physical examination should be conducted, during which the patient's health and pain status are discussed. For the diagnosis, imaging procedures are essential. Along with X-ray images of the affected region, CT scans are a key part of the diagnostic process. In some cases, bone scintigraphy can also be used to confirm the diagnosis. This is done by injecting harmless short-term radioactive substances into the blood and monitoring their distribution in the body using specialized cameras. Since tumor tissue has a particularly high turnover rate, the substance injected accumulates in the area of the osteoid osteoma making it possible to identify it and differentiate it from the surrounding healthy tissue.

Which treatment methods are available?

While these benign bone tumors may heal on their own after some time, the use of pain medication alone is not an option for all patients. If treatment remains unsuccessful, conventional surgery can be used to remove the tumor, although nowadays the minimally invasive technique of radiofrequency ablation is considered the gold standard.

Conservative therapy

Conservative therapy, which means treatment without surgery, is indicated for some patients. Here, the focus lies on pain relievers, in particular aspirin and other painkillers like ibuprofen. As you can usually get rid of the pain effectively, many patients can return to a pain-free everyday life.

Osteoid osteoma surgery

Nevertheless, it may be necessary to excise the tumor in certain cases, a decision that is based on several factors and should be made individually for each patient. Conventional surgery for the removal of tumors is effective, because the tumor can usually be resected completely, but this technique also carries risks and higher complication rates. Apart from wound healing disorders and postoperative fractures, there is also an increased risk of infection. Therefore, surgery is mainly considered for patients if all previous treatment options have been exhausted and the treatment is still unsuccessful. It can also be carried out as an alternative to radiofrequency ablation in patients who cannot undergo this technique for certain reasons.

Radiofrequency ablation

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that can successfully and completely remove tumor tissue while significantly reducing risks. Special instruments are inserted into the tumor region via several small incisions in the skin and apply very precise electromagnetic waves to the tumor tissue. The tumor tissue is heated to such an extent that it dies, while preserving as much of the healthy surrounding tissue as possible.

Typically, the patient is free of symptoms very quickly and there are considerably fewer complications.

Follow-up care and prognosis

Mostly the wound heals well without complications and patients are symptom-free again swiftly. Further follow-up appointments are necessary if pain occurs again. This could mean that the tumor has recurred (so-called relapse) and in such cases the patient should be examined as soon as possible. The prognosis for osteoid osteomas is good, as a relapse is unlikely if the tumor has been successfully removed. Moreover, possible recurrences quickly lead to a warning signal in the form of pain, which allows for quick medical intervention.

Which doctors and clinics specialize in osteoid osteomas?

Anyone in need of a doctor would expect the best possible medical care for themselves. Therefore, patients are looking for the most suitable clinic for their needs. Since this is not an objective decision and a respectable doctor would refrain from claiming to be the best, patients must trust the experience of a doctor.

We can help you find an appropriate expert for your condition. All the doctors and clinics listed have undergone extensive review and have been verified by us for their outstanding expertise in the field of osteoid osteoma. They are looking forward to and are ready to address your questions and treatment requests.