Radiofrequency ablation of a misdiagnosed Brodie's abscess.

Abstract

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy is recognised as a safe and effective treatment option for osteoid osteoma. This case report describes a 27-year-old man who underwent computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous RFA for a femoral osteoid osteoma, which was diagnosed based on his clinical presentation and CT findings. The patient developed worsening symptoms complicated by osteomyelitis after the procedure. His clinical progression and subsequent MRI findings had led to a revised diagnosis of a Brodie's abscess, which was further supported by the eventual resolution of his symptoms following a combination of antibiotics treatment and surgical irrigations. This case report illustrates the unusual MRI features of osteomyelitis mimicking soft tissue tumours following RFA of a misdiagnosed Brodie's abscess and highlights the importance of a confirmatory histopathological diagnosis for an osteoid osteoma prior to treatment.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

A 27-year-old man underwent CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for presumed femoral osteoid osteoma and subsequently developed worsening symptoms complicated by osteomyelitis. Clinical course and MRI findings led to a revised diagnosis of Brodie's abscess, with symptom resolution after antibiotics and surgical irrigations; the report emphasizes the need for confirmatory histopathology prior to treating presumed osteoid osteoma.

Outcomes measured

• Post-procedure worsening symptoms
• Osteomyelitis after RFA
• Revised diagnosis to Brodie's abscess based on clinical progression and MRI findings
• Symptom resolution after antibiotics and surgical irrigations
• Imaging features (MRI) of osteomyelitis mimicking soft tissue tumours following RFA

Limitations

• Single-patient case report
• No radiofrequency exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, power, duration) reported
• Causality between RFA and subsequent osteomyelitis cannot be established from a case report

{
    "study_type": "case_report",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "radiofrequency ablation (medical procedure)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "27-year-old man",
    "sample_size": 1,
    "outcomes": [
        "Post-procedure worsening symptoms",
        "Osteomyelitis after RFA",
        "Revised diagnosis to Brodie's abscess based on clinical progression and MRI findings",
        "Symptom resolution after antibiotics and surgical irrigations",
        "Imaging features (MRI) of osteomyelitis mimicking soft tissue tumours following RFA"
    ],
    "main_findings": "A 27-year-old man underwent CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for presumed femoral osteoid osteoma and subsequently developed worsening symptoms complicated by osteomyelitis. Clinical course and MRI findings led to a revised diagnosis of Brodie's abscess, with symptom resolution after antibiotics and surgical irrigations; the report emphasizes the need for confirmatory histopathology prior to treating presumed osteoid osteoma.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Single-patient case report",
        "No radiofrequency exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, power, duration) reported",
        "Causality between RFA and subsequent osteomyelitis cannot be established from a case report"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "very_low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "radiofrequency ablation",
        "RFA",
        "computed tomography-guided",
        "percutaneous",
        "osteoid osteoma",
        "Brodie's abscess",
        "osteomyelitis",
        "MRI",
        "misdiagnosis",
        "histopathology"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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