Journal of Orthopedic Oncology
Open Access

Osteoid osteomas are the third most common benign tumors, accounting for 10-14% of all benign and 2-3% of all primary bone tumors[1,2]. The tumor is generally small, measures less than 2 cm in diameter, and consists of a radiolucent nidus surrounding reactive osteosclerosis [3]. Osteoid osteomas are predominantly found in men occurring at a rate of nearly 2-3 times more often than in women [1]. 70% of osteoid osteomas cases were discovered in adults 20 years or younger in age [1,4,5]. The tumor commonly occurs in the metaphysis and diaphysis of long bones, particularly the femur and tibia. Small bones of the feet and hands are less affected, with the talus involved in 2-10% of the cases [5,6].

While the pathogenesis of osteoid osteomas has remained uncertain, some propose it is due to an inflammatory response or increased levels of prostaglandins. Others theorize a large role in neoplasm or trauma to the area [6]. This explains why patients often present with pain that is relieved with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Patients may also exhibit local swelling and tenderness, and bony deformity [5- 9]. The typical symptoms may not always be present in patients, but a high level of clinical suspicion is necessary to direct further imaging [10,11].

Conservative treatment methods include NSAIDs, as some tumors often regress spontaneously over 2-6 years [8]. However, patients may present with severe pain or remain refractory to medical therapy; thus, surgical treatment may be necessary. Surgical treatments include open resection, arthroscopic surgical excision, or image-guided ablation of the lesion, with an 88-100% success rate [2,6,8]. Computerized tomography (CT) can detect the nidus, showing calcification and sclerosis; it is superior to plain radiography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [6,8]. When the lesion presents in juxta-articular positions, the complex anatomy of the foot makes imaging interpretation even more challenging. In this paper, we present a case of a subtalar intra-articular osteoid osteoma of the talus treated successfully with en-bloc surgical excision.

Case Report

A 17-year-old male presented to the clinic for a second opinion regarding treatment for 2 years of progressive pain at the right ankle and hindfoot with associated swelling. The patient was a prior track athlete but had to relinquish all high-impact activities secondary to pain. There was no history of fever, weight loss, or loss of appetite.

Two years before presentation, the patient was seen by his community generalist orthopaedic surgeon after an ankle sprain. Physical exam demonstrated tenderness over the lateral ankle and hindfoot. Plain films were unremarkable (Figure 1a-1c). MRI was obtained within a week of the sprain, revealing findings concerning a talar stress reaction (Figure 2a & 2b). The patient was treated with NSAIDS and a nonweightbearing cast for a month. This was followed by protective weightbearing in a Controlled Ankle Motion (CAM) boot. The patient was then transitioned to a lace-up ankle brace, a medial arch support insert, physical therapy, and discharged from care.

Figure 1: a) AP view of the right ankle b) Mortise view of the right ankle c) lateral view of the right ankle.

Figure 2: a: Preoperative T2 axial view MRI shows a stress reaction and bone edema within the lateral aspect of the talus with no noticeable pathologic lesion or facture line. b: Preoperative T2 coronal view MRI shows a stress reaction and bone edema within the lateral aspect of the talus with no noticeable pathologic lesion or facture line.

Despite these non-surgical treatment modalities, the patient continued to have progressive pain. Over the course of two years, he discontinued all high-impact activities. As a result, his surgeon ordered a repeat MRI that revealed an intra-articular body at the anterior most aspect of the posterior subtalar joint with surrounding edema (Figure 3a &3b). The patient was then referred to our clinic for management.

Figure 3: a: Preoperative T1 axial view MRI two-years after images from Figure 2 showing an intra-articular body at the anterior most aspect of the subtalar joint with continued marrow edema involving the talus. Arrow points to the lesion. b: Preoperative T2 coronal view MRI two-years after images from Figure 2 showing an intra-articular body at the anterior most aspect of the subtalar joint with continued marrow edema involving the talus. Arrow points to the lesion.

On physical exam, the patient had a subtle asymmetric cavus foot deformity on the right side with tenderness and mild swelling over the sinus tarsi. There was discomfort elicited with active and passive eversion and inversion of the hindfoot. Plain films were read as normal. Laboratory values including complete blood count, biochemical profile, and inflammatory markers were within the normal reference ranges.

Based on the above findings, an intra-articular osteochondral body was the initial diagnosis, and the decision for surgical resection was made. A sinus tarsi approach was made under general anesthesia with a regional block for postoperative pain control. The lesion was resected en-bloc using an osteotome (Figures 4 and 5). Specimens were sent to pathology, and it was found to be an osteoid osteoma (Figures 6 and 7). The patient was instructed to be non-weight bearing for two weeks, then allowed to begin physical therapy. He was pain-free at his first postoperative visit. At three months, he was able to return to full activity, including running, without pain. At the one-year follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic and had no recurrence.

Figure 4: The tip of the freer elevator points to the lesion at the anterolateral aspect of the talus overlying subtalar joint.

Figure 5: The tip of the Freer elevator points to the articular cartilage of the posterior calcaneal facet after the lesion has been resected, en-bloc.

Figure 6: Shows the junction of the lesion with the host bone. The lesion (right side) is completely surrounded by the host lamellar bone (left side).

Figure 7: The lesion comprises haphazard trabeculae of woven bone with variable thickness and mineralization levels and prominent osteoblastic rimming. There is central dense sclerotic woven bone and associated rich fibrovascular stroma.

Discussion

Peri articular osteoid osteomas in the foot and ankle are rare [5,6,12- 14]. Due to the impact on the associated joint, patients can present with pain resembling arthralgia caused by many other conditions, such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, bony or fibrous coalition, trauma, or sinus tarsi syndrome [14]. The patient, in this case, complained of hindfoot pain emanating from the sinus tarsi area after an ankle sprain.

His symptoms did not resolve with NSAIDs. In the workup of an osteoid osteoma, CT is the modality of choice; it is superior to plain radiography or MRI [6,8].

According to several authors, the detection rate of osteoid osteomas of the hand and foot is 96.5% with CT [6]. However, an MRI was ordered for this case because there were no definitive signs of an osteoid osteoma on history, clinic exam, or plain films. In addition, an MRI is preferred to rule out more common disorders that may cause joint pain. The patient’s atypical presentation, normal labs and plain films, and lack of response to NSAIDs likely led to a definitive diagnosis and treatment delay.

In addition, initial evaluation with an MRI, in this case, revealed bony edema rather than a focal lesion. MRI fails to diagnose osteoid osteomas in 34% of cases due to its propensity only to detect edema rather than the tumor [6]. A repeat MRI approximately two years later revealed an expansion of the lesion leading to the decision for surgical treatment. Osteoid osteomas of the talus are often misdiagnosed due to the atypical presentations of the tumor. The time between presented symptoms and diagnosis of an osteoid osteoma is prolonged due to difficulties in diagnosis. A meta-analysis of 223 patients with osteoid osteoma found the average time to diagnosis was 22.1 months (range 1–120 months), with the longest period in talar lesions.

Close follow-up with serial imaging is recommended in young, healthy patients with foot and ankle pain refractory to nonsurgical treatment. In this case, a repeat MRI revealed growth of the tumor after two years, all the while, plain films remained normal. This is similar to findings reported in the literature; studies have shown lesions in certain areas, such as the talus, are difficult to evaluate by plain radiographs, showing a detection rate of only 66% of cases [6,8].

Conservative treatment methods include NSAIDs, as some osteoid osteomas often regress spontaneously over 2-6 years. [8] Invasive treatments are recommended for refractory cases. Surgical options include arthroscopic excision, image-guided ablation of the lesion, and open en-bloc resection. En-bloc surgical resection is an effective treatment for osteoid osteomas with a success rate of 88–100% of cases and reduces the risk of recurrence [2,6,8]. In this case report, en-bloc resection of the lesion was performed successfully with complete resolution of symptoms and return to normal activity within three months.

Conclusion

Intra-articular osteoid osteomas of the talus are rare benign tumors that are difficult to diagnose due to the frequently atypical presentations of the tumor. These tumors often present in young patients, so close follow-up and serial imaging are recommended for patients with persistent or progressive pain refractory to nonsurgical treatment. The intra-articular nature of these tumors requires that surgical treatment be considered to avoid further damage to the associated joint.

Acknowledgment

We thank the patient for his time, effort, and consent for this case report.

Conflict of Interest

The authors can confirm that they have no conflict of interest to declare. In addition, no funding was received for the production of this manuscript.

Statement of Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of this case report and any accompanying images.

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