Osteoid Osteomas of Spine: From Open to Minimally Invasive Excision of the Nidus – A Case series

Osteoid osteomas of spine are not uncommon and majority of which occurs in posterior elements of lumbar spine. Management of such lesions in spine ranges from open en bloc excision to percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. In this series, we have managed three cases of osteoid osteomas of spine, each managed differently from conventional open technique to minimally invasive method. All three cases underwent appropriate radiological investigations and followed by surgical excision of the lesion and histopathological analysis post-operatively. First case was managed with open excision of the lesion with conventional unilateral pedicle screw stabilisation. Second case, who underwent open excision of the lesion developed recurrence which was managed by re-excision without any further complications. Last case underwent microendoscopic quadrant tubular excision of the tumour with unilateral MISS with pedicle screws. The technique of Microendoscopic quadrant tubular excision of posterior element benign tumour had advantages of small skin incision, less bleeding, clear macroscopic visualisation of the small tumour (enables complete excision of the nidus thus decreasing the recurrence), early mobilisation and shorter hospitalization with effective and complete excision of the tumour better than open method. Further, histological evidence of tumour will be available. The complete excision of nidus using microendoscopic tubular retractors with unilateral fixation in young age gives encouraging results. This case series is followed by review of literature highlighting the role of COX-2 inhibitors in osteoid osteoma, cause for scoliosis and neurological deficit in osteoid osteoma and management of osteoid osteomas of spine. Keywords: Tumor, Osteoid osteoma, Minimally invasive, Dorsolumbar spine, Excision biopsy