Guidance
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued full guidance to the NHS in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on computed tomography-guided thermocoagulation of osteoid osteoma.
Description
This procedure can be performed under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia and involves the use of CT guidance.
Step one is to localise the lesion with CT. A trephine bone biopsy needle is then introduced into the lesion. The needle (or sometimes a drill) is then used to create an entry hole through the bone. CT is used to monitor the progress of the needle to ensure placement near the tumour.
The core of the lesion is then removed with the inner trephine needle for biopsy, and a radiofrequency electrode probe is introduced into the centre of the nidus. The probe is then heated to 85-90 degrees centrigrade for 4-6 minutes. The whole procedure takes around 90 minutes. After removal of the electrode, patients are scanned by CT to assess the outcome of the procedure.
Coding and clinical classification codes for this guidance