Value of computed tomography for diagnosis of osteoid osteoma

The study, based on investigation of 16 patients, aims at assessing the CT role in osteotid osteoma diagnosis at pre-operative period. The osteoid osteoma usually is readily diagnosed with conventional roentgenography and tomography. The results show that CT furnishes additional information on the characterisic features which affirm the diagnosis, especially in the case of affection of the axial skeleton bones. Bone scintigraphy is necessary when no changes are observed in the roentgenographs. It allows early detection of the pathological process and its relatively exact localization. CT assures very precise three-dimentional presentation and pre-operative localization of the nidus and the spreading of the process, thus allowing the planning of maximally sparing resection of affected tissues and preserving the stability of the operated bone. 1 tab., 3 figs., 11 refs