Long-term results of CT-guided radiofrequency ablation therapy in patients with osteoid osteoma

Aims This research aims to review the long-term outcomes of CT-guided radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) in managing patients with osteoid osteoma (OO). Methods A total of 210 patients, with a mean age of 16.6 years, treated with CT-guided RFA between January 2005 and December 2022, were retrospectively studied. The research assessed patients’ post-procedure clinical follow-up, recording treatment success and complications. Cox regression analysis, conducted in both univariate and multiple models, examined the impact of independent variables on recurrence time. Results The average follow-up was 103.7 months. In the first 24 hours after the treatment, all patients had less OO pain. Successful outcomes without recurrence were achieved in 200 out of 210 patients (95.2%). Univariate analysis indicated that sex did not have a significant impact on recurrence (p = 0.657); however, recurrence was significantly associated with younger age (p = 0.004). Conclusion This research shows that CT-guided RFA for OO patients relieves pain quickly, has low recurrence rates, and minimal complications. Younger patients should be monitored for an extended duration due to the influence of age on recurrence rates. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2025;6(10):1260–1265.