Computed-tomography-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermoablation for the treatment of osteoid osteoma—2 to 5 years follow-up

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermoablation (PRT) method with a minimum of 2 years follow-up. Twenty-eight patients who were followed for more than 2 years among 35 patients who underwent CT-guided PRT between April 1999 and May 2005 were included in this study. The mean age was 24.5 years (range 7–55 years) and the mean follow-up period was 40.1 months (range 24–66 months). With a radiofrequency electrode, the lesion was heated to 80°C or 90°C for 6.5 mins (range 3–9 mins). Clinical success was assessed at the out-patient clinic by symptoms and radiographs. Twenty-six patients (90%) experienced a total loss of symptoms and additional PRT also relieved the ongoing symptoms in all of the recurrent patients. PRT appears to be a safe and effective method for treating osteoid osteoma and is also effective in recurrent cases. This treatment modality is a minimally invasive procedure and is a good alternative to open surgical treatment

The persistence of epiphyseal scars in the adult tibia

Estimation of chronological age from skeletal material is dependent upon estimation of maturational stage observed. Following completion of epiphyseal fusion, a transverse radio-opaque line, termed "epiphyseal scar", may be observed in the region of the former growth plate. According to the literature, this line is likely to become obliterated shortly after completion of epiphyseal fusion. Consequently, presence of an epiphyseal scar has been interpreted as an indication of recent epiphyseal fusion; however, this has not been validated by quantitative research. A study was undertaken to determine persistence of the epiphyseal scars in a cross-sectional population of adults between 20 and 50 years of age. This study examined 1,216 radiographs of proximal and distal tibiae from both sexes and sides of the body. This study suggested that 98.05 % of females and 97.74 % of males retained some remnant of the epiphyseal scar at the proximal tibia whilst 92.72 % of females and 92.95 % of males retained some remnant of the epiphyseal scar at the distal tibia. General linear model (GLM) analysis determined that chronological age accounted for 2.7 % and 7.6 % of variation in persistence of the epiphyseal scar at the proximal and distal tibiae, respectively. This study suggests that obliteration of the epiphyseal scar is not as dependent on chronological age as previously thought. It is, therefore, recommended that this feature not be used as an indicator of chronological age during forensic age assessment