Targeted Resection of a T1 Pedicle Osteoid Osteoma Using O-Arm Navigation: A Minimally Invasive Approach to a Challenging Location

Osteoid osteoma is a benign bone-forming tumor that commonly affects young adults and often presents with severe nocturnal pain responsive to NSAIDs. While surgical resection is curative, lesions located in the spine, particularly near critical structures such as the vertebral artery and spinal cord, pose substantial diagnostic and surgical challenges. We report a case of a 24-year-old male with intractable night pain caused by an osteoid osteoma located at the superior margin of the right T1 pedicle. Despite extended NSAID therapy, the patient’s symptoms persisted. Multimodal imaging including MRI, CT, and PET-CT confirmed the diagnosis and revealed the lesion’s proximity to vital neurovascular structures. To minimize morbidity, we employed intraoperative O-arm navigation integrated with preoperative imaging to achieve precise localization and targeted resection through a limited posterior approach. The nidus was successfully excised en bloc without complications. Postoperatively, the patient experienced immediate pain relief and returned to normal activities within days. This case highlights the utility of real-time 3D navigation in managing spinal osteoid osteomas and supports its use as a safe, effective alternative to traditional wide exposure techniques, particularly in anatomically constrained regions of the spine.