Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Appendicular Skeleton Chondroblastoma-an Experience from a Tertiary Care Cancer Center.

PURPOSE: To evaluate safety and long-term efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) ablation in treatment of chondroblastoma.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This retrospective analysis comprised 27 consecutive patients with histopathologically proven chondroblastoma treated by RF ablation. The tumors were located in the proximal humerus (n = 6), proximal tibia (n = 8), proximal femur (n = 6), distal femur (n = 5), acromion process (n = 1), and lunate (n = 1). In 19 patients (70.3%), the tumor was in the weight-bearing area of the bone. Clinical response was assessed by comparing pain scores and functional assessment by Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score before and after ablation. Patients were followed for a minimum of 1 year to rule out complications and recurrence.

RESULTS

Technical success rate was 100%. Mean pain score before the procedure was 7.34 (range, 7-9); all patients experienced a reduction in pain, with 25 (92.6%) patients reporting complete pain relief at 6 weeks. Mean MSTS score before the procedure was 15.4, whereas mean MSTS score at 6 weeks after the procedure was 28.6, suggesting significant functional improvement (P < .0001). Two patients developed osteonecrosis and collapse of the treated bone. There were no recurrences.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous RF ablation is a safe and effective option for treating chondroblastoma of the appendicular skeleton.