Magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound for noninvasive pain therapy of osteoid osteoma in children

Background/introduction Osteoid osteoma (OO), a small painful benign bone tumor, is the most common bone tumor in children. Pain is managed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs but minimally invasive techniques, such as CT-guided laser ablation, have become a standard intervention. However, the potential for non-target injury is a concern as tissue temperature cannot be measured with CT and the laser induces temperatures >90°C for 10 minutes. It also includes risks from exposure to ionizing radiation, fracture, infection and transmitted thermal damage from the access needle. Magnetic resonance guided high intensity focused ultrasound (MRgHIFU) has been used successfully in small cohorts of adults with OO. The noninvasive nature of the energy means that procedures do not need to be conducted in a sterile environment since there is no mechanical penetration of the bone, reducing the chance of pathologic fracture and infection.