Osteoid osteoma of the femoral head treated by radiofrequency ablation: a case report

INTRODUCTION: We present a case report highlighting the unusual location and atypical imaging characteristics of an osteoid osteoma in the juxta-articular region of the femoral head, and treatment of the condition with radiofrequency ablation. This treatment option is low in both risk and morbidity and is therefore the best option in lesions that are difficult to access surgically because of the risks involved. CASE PRESENTATION: A 40-year-old Indian man from West Bengal presented to our facility with a history of progressively severe left hip pain of insidious onset, requiring analgesics. Imaging with plain radiographs, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed findings of osteoid osteoma in a subarticular location in the femoral head, although imaging features were atypical due to the intra-articular subchondral location. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation is a newer treatment modality for osteoid osteoma that, being minimally invasive, offers comparable results to surgery with a significantly lower morbidity. To the best of our knowledge, treatment of osteoid osteoma in the foveal region of the femoral head with radiofrequency ablation has not been reported to date. We wish to highlight the successful outcome in our index case using this technique.