MUSCULOSKELETAL NEOPLASMS - PREOPERATIVE EVALUATION WITH MR-ANGIOGRAPHY

PURPOSE: To assess the ability of magnetic resonance (MR) angiography to depict vascularity of musculoskeletal neoplasms. MATERIALS AND METH ODS: Two-dimensional (2D) time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography was comp ared with conventional arteriography during staging of musculoskeletal tumors in 23 prospective examinations. Phase-contrast (PC) MR angiogr aphy was also performed in 19 cases and evaluated as a possible supple ment to 2D TOF imaging. RESULTS: Of named vessels, 92% in proximity to tumor were noted by blinded readers. The PC technique provided supple mental data in 47% of cases, usually related to better delineation of in-plane feeder vessels and areas with pulsatile blood flow. Of the 28 branch feeder vessels, 23 were noted on both conventional arteriogram s and MR angiograms in a nonblinded review, but 16 were difficult to d istinguish as feeders because of lack of associated tumor blush. CONCL USION: MR angiography has promise to replace conventional arteriograph y for orthopedic preoperative planning.