Background
Treatment of osteoid osteoma of the spine may be challenging when located in the pedicles.
Patients and methods
Twelve patients with osteoid osteoma located in lumbar spine pedicles were treated via partial pediculectomy to excise the nidus completely combined with contralateral instrumented fusion to prevent instability. Their demographic data, back pain as measured by visual analog scale, and radiographs were recorded and analyzed. The patients were followed up for a period of at least 12 months.
Results
Their mean age was 18.1 years. Nine were males and three females. The mean preoperative visual analog scale was 8. This improved to 2.5 1 month after surgery and 0.83 at the final follow-up (<0.001). The mean operative time and blood loss were 124 min and 660 ml, respectively. Fusion was obtained in all cases.
Conclusion
When lesions with a relatively large nidus involve the pedicle, partial pediculectomy to access the nidus combined with contralateral instrumented fusion appears to be an effective and justifiable method of treatment.