A 12-year-old young girl presented with non-specific pain in the left hip. It was thought to be snapping Iliotibial tract and was referred to the physiotherapist. However, the pain did not settle, and she had further investigation in the form of a plain radiograph followed by MRI and CT of the pelvis.
Plain radiograph (Fig 1) revealed a small, well-defined lucent lesion in the left iliac bone just above the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS). It was better appreciated on the frog-leg lateral view. MRI (Fig 2) demonstrated a well-defined round hyperintense lesion just above the AIIS with surrounding soft tissue oedema. The lesion had a low signal intensity on the T1 weighted image with a further low signal intensity nidus on both T1 and fluid sensitive sequences. There was no associated extraosseous soft tissue component. CT (Fig 3) depicted the well-defined lucent lesion with a central calcified nidus. There was no periosteal reaction or cortical breach.
Osteoid osteoma is a benign bone neoplasm typically occurring in children, adolescents and young adults between 7 to 35 years of age; and having a male predilection. Patients present with a classical history of night pains, relieved by aspirin/NSAIDS. They are classified as cortical, medullary (cancellous) and subperiosteal depending upon the radiological findings. The intra-cortical osteoid osteomas are most common and occur in shaft of long bones, especially femur and tibia. Typically, radiographic findings include well-defined lucent lesion with a central mineralised nidus and surrounding reactive sclerosis with periosteal thickening. CT is the best imaging modality to characterise the lesion, which appears as a well-defined round to ovoid hypo attenuating lesion with surrounding reactive sclerosis. There can be a central high density within the nidus representing the osteoid matrix. MRI demonstrates the lesion and surrounding bone marrow and soft tissue oedema. The nidus has a low to intermediate signal on T1-weighted image and a variable signal intensity on the T2-weighted image depending on the amount of mineralisation. Many studies have shown that MRI is of limited value in detecting the nidus because of the similar signal characteristics of the nidus and the surrounding cortical bone. On contrast administration, there is variable degree of enhancement.
Bone-scan shows the typical double density sign with a central focus of highly avid uptake surrounded by an area of high uptake but lower than the nidus. Intra-articular osteoid osteomas can result in significant joint effusion and synovial hypertrophy resembling septic or inflammatory arthritis. The extensive inflammatory response generated in an osteoid osteoma can mask the nidus in some cases, making a radiological diagnosis difficult.
The diagnosis of a typical osteoid osteoma is straightforward. However, in small bones and intra-articular location; the imaging features are less than typical, and MRI findings can be misleading. The top differentials will include Brodie's abscess, stress fracture, eosinophilic granuloma and other intra-cortical bone neoplasms. CT perfusion can be used to evaluate the contrast enhancement dynamics in cases with atypical radiological findings. The nidus is extremely vascular and shows rapid peak enhancement with the timing closely matching the surrounding artery. There is loss of conspicuity in the delayed phase because of the perilesional contrast uptake followed by rapid washout resulting in Type IV curve. In some case, the early, rapid enhancement is followed by a plateau resulting in Type III perfusion curve. Thus, if a lesion has morphological features of osteoid osteoma, but a Type I or Type II curve on CT perfusion, then an alternative diagnosis should be sought. On the other hand, many hypervascular tumours have Type III/Type IV curves. Therefore, CT perfusion cannot be used in isolation for the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma and helps as a problem-solving aide in lesions with atypical appearance. Percutaneous CT-guided Radio-frequency Ablation is the treatment of choice with a very high success rate and low risk of complications.
Osteoid osteoma
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Based on the provided anteroposterior pelvic X-ray, MRI, and CT images, localized lesion characteristics are observed in the left iliac bone and the proximal femoral region, specifically manifested as follows:
Overall, the imaging presents the typical feature of a “small radiolucent focus + reactive sclerosis,” with the lesion confined to the cortical bone. This finding is consistent with the clinical presentation of nocturnal pain relieved by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Based on the patient’s age, symptoms, and imaging findings, the following potential diagnoses and brief rationale are considered:
Combining the imaging findings, the typical nocturnal pain that responds to analgesics, as well as the patient’s age and sex characteristics, the most likely diagnosis is: Osteoid Osteoma.
If there is still uncertainty in imaging or clinical aspects, further CT perfusion imaging (Perfusion CT) or, if necessary, a pathological biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Based on the benign nature of osteoid osteoma and the patient’s current symptoms, the main treatment strategies include:
Rehabilitation/Exercise Prescription Recommendations (following the FITT-VP principle: Frequency, Intensity, Time, Type, Progression, Volume):
Throughout the rehabilitation process, exercise volume and intensity should be adjusted in a timely manner based on the patient’s recovery status, and pain or other discomfort should be monitored. If significant pain, joint swelling, or other symptoms appear, exercise should be suspended or reduced, and professional guidance from a physician or rehabilitation therapist should be sought.
Disclaimer:
This report is a reference analysis based on currently provided medical history and imaging data, and cannot replace an in-person consultation or professional medical advice. The specific treatment plan should be determined through comprehensive evaluation by specialized physicians in conjunction with the actual clinical situation.
Osteoid osteoma