Electromagnetic navigation guided tailored lamino-pedicular intralesional marginal resection of recurrent sacral osteoblastoma: a case report.

Background: Electromagnetic navigation (EMN) is an advanced technology increasingly utilized in orthopedic surgery for its ability to provide real-time intraoperative guidance. Its application in spinal surgery is evolving rapidly, particularly for complex cases like tumor lesions. Spinal osteoblastomas, characterized by their benign nature, primarily affect the posterior elements of the spine. They present treatment challenges due to their potential for recurrence and proximity to critical structures. EMN-guided surgery offers a promising approach to achieve precise tumor localization and tailored resection in such cases. Therefore, reporting cases of spinal osteoblastomas treated with EMN guidance significantly contributes to understanding the efficacy and potential advantages of this innovative surgical approach.

Case description: We present the case of a 17-year-old female with persistent sacral pain initially diagnosed as an osteoid osteoma based on imaging findings. This led to gamma probe-assisted resection. However, subsequent histopathological analysis revealed the lesion to be an osteoblastoma. Upon recurrence, EMN-guided surgery was employed to achieve precise tumor localization and tailored resection of the osteoblastoma in S1 vertebra. The surgical intervention resulted in complete tumor removal, leading to symptom resolution during a 2-year follow-up period.

Conclusions: This case highlights the emerging role of EMN in the treatment of spinal tumors, demonstrating its potential to improve precision and patient outcomes. The effectiveness of EMN-guided surgery suggests its potential as a valuable tool in tumor resection procedures. Further research and reporting will help confirm the efficacy of EMN and its integration into routine practice for the treatment of spinal tumors.