Radiology, Vol 155, 709-718, Copyright © 1985 by Radiological Society of North America

ARTICLES

Bone tumors: magnetic resonance imaging versus computed tomography

WD Zimmer, TH Berquist, RA McLeod, FH Sim, DJ Pritchard, TC Shives, LE Wold and GR May

The magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of bone tumors are described and the clinical utility of MR imaging in patient evaluation is reported. Fifty-two patients with skeletal lesions were examined with a Picker MR imager (0.15-T resistive magnet). Twenty-five patients had primary malignancies, seven had benign bone neoplasms, 15 had skeletal metastases, and five had neoplasm simulators. Forty-five patients had CT scans available for comparison. For demonstrating the extent of tumor in marrow, MR was superior to CT in 33% of cases, about equal to CT in 64%, and inferior to CT in 2%. For delineating the extent of tumor in soft tissue, MR was superior to CT in 38% of cases and about equal to CT in 62%. CT was superior in all cases for demonstrating calcific deposits and pathologic fractures. In four patients with metal prostheses or surgical clips, MR was superior to CT in documenting recurrent tumor because of artifactual degradation of the CT image. Direct sagittal and coronal images from MR permit accurate assessment of the relationship of tumor to adjacent normal structures, including the physis, joints, and neurovascular structures. MR is useful in the evaluation of bone tumors: it is of greatest value in evaluations of the peripheral skeleton, the medullary canal, soft tissues, and postoperative tumor recurrence. With a 0.15-T magnet, MR is less useful in the evaluation of the axial skeleton and cortical bone.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. T. Miller Bone Tumors and Tumorlike Conditions: Analysis with Conventional Radiography Radiology, March 1, 2008; 246(3): 662 - 674. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. S. Stacy, R. S. Mahal, and T. D. Peabody Staging of bone tumors: a review with illustrative examples. Am. J. Roentgenol., April 1, 2006; 186(4): 967 - 976. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Hamaoka, J. E. Madewell, D. A. Podoloff, G. N. Hortobagyi, and N. T. Ueno Bone Imaging in Metastatic Breast Cancer J. Clin. Oncol., July 15, 2004; 22(14): 2942 - 2953. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K A Hrishikesh, R S Narlawar, S B Deasi, K Aniruddha, and S Maheshwari Aneurysmal bone cyst of the ethmoid bone Br. J. Radiol., November 1, 2002; 75(899): 916 - 918. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				U. Senol, K. Karaali, M. Akyuz, T. Gelen, R. Tuncer, and E. Luleci Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Orbit AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., February 1, 2002; 23(2): 319 - 321. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Taoka, N. A. Mayr, H. J. Lee, W. T. C. Yuh, T. M. Simonson, K. Rezai, and K. S. Berbaum Factors Influencing Visualization of Vertebral Metastases on MR Imaging Versus Bone Scintigraphy Am. J. Roentgenol., June 1, 2001; 176(6): 1525 - 1530. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. J. Gelb, S. G. Glasgow, A. A. Sapega, and J. S. Torg Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Knee Disorders: Clinical Value and Cost-Effectiveness in a Sports Medicine Practice Am. J. Sports Med., January 1, 1996; 24(1): 99 - 103. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Castillo, J. Tehranzadeh, and G. Morillo Atypical healed stress fracture of the fibula masquerading as chronic osteomyelitis: A case report of magnetic resonance distinction Am. J. Sports Med., March 1, 1988; 16(2): 185 - 188. [PDF]