Osteoid Osteoma is a benign bone lesion with a nidus of less than 2 cm
surrounded by a zone of reactive bone. This lesion accounts for approximately 10 % of benign bone tumors1.
The tumor occurs most frequently in the second decade and affects males twice as often as females. The proximal femur
is the most common location followed by the tibia, posterior elements of the spine, and the humerus. Osteoid Osteoma
is found in the diaphysis or the metaphysis of the proximal end of the bone more often than the distal end.
Osteoid osteoma has a distinct clinical picture of dull pain that is worse at night and disappears within 20 to 30
minutes of treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Joint pain may be present with a periarticular
lesion and synovitis can occur secondary to an intraarticular lesion. Local symptoms can include an increase in skin
temperature, increased sweating and tenderness. Epiphyseal lesions can cause abnormal growth.
The
classic radiological presentation of an osteoid osteoma is a radiolucent nidus surrounded by a dramatic reactive
sclerosis in the cortex of the bone. The center can range from partially mineralized to osteolytic to entirely
calcified. The lesion can occur only in the cortex, in both the cortex and medulla, or only the medulla. The reactive
sclerosis may be present or absent. The four diagnostic features include (1) a sharp round or oval lesion that is (2)
less than 2 cm in diameter, (3) has a homogeneous dense center and (4) a 1-2 mm peripheral radiolucent zone.’
CT is the preferred method of evaluation, especially if the lesion is in the spine or obscured by reactive sclerosis.
The radiologic differential includes osteoblastoma, osteomyelitis, arthritis, stress fracture and enostosis.
On gross examination, osteoid osteoma is a brownish-red, mottled and gritty lesion that is distinct from the
surrounding bone. It can be present in the cortex or medullary canal. Osteoclasts are present. The nidus is
surrounded by sclerotic bone with thickened trabeculae. Microscopically, the nidus consists of a combination of
osteoid and woven bone surrounded by osteoblasts. The oval shaped nidus is welvascularized and clearly separate from
the reactive woven or lamellar bone.
Osteoid osteoma will resolve without treatment in an average of 33
months. If the patient does not wish to endure the pain and prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
medications, surgical removal or percutaneous ablation of the nucleus is indicated.
References
‘ Bloem, J and H. Kroon, Osseous Lesions, Radiologic Clinics of North America,31(2):261-277, March, 1993.
DGitelis, S, Wilkins, R and EU
Conrad,
benign Bone Tumors, Instructional Course Lectures, 45:425426, 1996.
Bullough,
Peter, Orthopaedic Patholoev (third edition), Times Mirror International Publishers Limited, London,
1997.
Huvos,
Andrew, Bone Tumors:Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis, W.B. Saunders, Co.,
1991.
Adapted, with permission from bonetumor.com By Henry DeGroot III, M.D.
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