MR imaging-guided laser ablation of osteoid osteomas with use of optical instrument guidance at 0.23 T

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and features of low-field MR imaging in performing interstitial laser ablation of osteoid osteomas. Between September 2001 and April 2002, five consecutive patients with clinical and imaging findings suggesting osteoid osteoma and referred for removal of osteoid osteoma were treated with interstitial laser treatment. A low-field open-configuration MRI scanner (0.23 T, Outlook Proview, Philips Medical Systems, Finland) with optical instrument guidance hardware and software was used. Laser device used was of ND-Yag type (Fibertom medilas, Dornier Medizin Technik, Germany). A bare laser fiber (Dornier Medizin Technik, Germany) with a diameter of 400 mum was used. Completely balanced steady-state (CBASS; true fast imaging with steady precession) imaging was used for lesion localization, instrument guidance, and thermal monitoring. A 14-G (Cook Medical, USA) bone biopsy drill was used for initial approach. Laser treatment was conducted through the biopsy canal. All the lesions were successfully localized, targeted, and treated under MRI guidance. All the patients were symptom free 3 weeks and 3 months after the treatment. There was one recurrence reported during follow-up (6 months). The MRI-guided percutaneous interstitial laser ablation of osteoid osteomas seems to be a feasible treatment mode.