Treatment of Osteoid Osteomas Using a Navigational Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation System

Abstract

Safe and effective CT-guided radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteomas can be performed in a variety of locations using a multidirectional bipolar system.

Benign Spine Lesions: Advances in Techniques for Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Treatment

“…15 More recently navigational bipolar RFA probes with built-in thermocouples have become available, which allow real-time monitoring of the ablation zone size by measuring the temperatures along the periphery of the ablation zone during the procedure. 16 The navigating tip of the probe can be articulated in different orientations through the same entry site; this procedure is beneficial for accessing lesions in challenging locations and achieving larger ablation zones. 16 The choice of the RF probe depends in large part on the volume of tissue to be ablated and the proximity to vital structures.…”

“…16 The navigating tip of the probe can be articulated in different orientations through the same entry site; this procedure is beneficial for accessing lesions in challenging locations and achieving larger ablation zones. 16 The choice of the RF probe depends in large part on the volume of tissue to be ablated and the proximity to vital structures. 15,16 RFA is typically used for the treatment of vertebral lesions with no or small extraosseous components.…”

“…The main advantage of RFA is precise determination of the geometry of the ablation zone beyond which tissues are safe from thermal injury. 15,16 Intact cortical bone also serves as a boundary for undesired RF energy propagation. 15,16 RFA is pri-marily used for the treatment of lesions that are mainly osteolytic because the higher intrinsic impedance of sclerotic bone lesions prevents the radiofrequency circuit from generating sufficiently high temperatures to ensure cell death and renders RFA ineffective.…”

“…15,16 Intact cortical bone also serves as a boundary for undesired RF energy propagation. 15,16 RFA is pri-marily used for the treatment of lesions that are mainly osteolytic because the higher intrinsic impedance of sclerotic bone lesions prevents the radiofrequency circuit from generating sufficiently high temperatures to ensure cell death and renders RFA ineffective. 17 Limitations of RFA include nonvisualization of the ablation margin with CT, pain associated with the procedure, and, frequently, increased pain during the immediate posttreatment period.…”

“…16 The choice of the RF probe depends in large part on the volume of tissue to be ablated and the proximity to vital structures. 15,16 RFA is typically used for the treatment of vertebral lesions with no or small extraosseous components. The main advantage of RFA is precise determination of the geometry of the ablation zone beyond which tissues are safe from thermal injury.…”