DIAGNOSTIC-IMAGING OF MALIGNANT CARTILAGE TUMORS

We compared the diagnostic capabilities of CT and MRI in the study of malignant cartilage tumors. Information about the characterization and the intra-/extraosseous spread of these lesions is of primary importa nce in the preoperative planning. Besides peripheral chondrosarcomas, arising from an osteochondroma and central chondrosarcomas, which are the most common malignant cartilaginous tumors, we also considered sec ondary, periosteal, dedifferentiated, clear cells and mesenchymal chon drosarcomas. Our study was performed using a standard MRI and CT proto col; in some cases, the examination was completed by the intravenous a dministration of a contrast agent. High contrast T2-weighted GE images can perfectly depict and differentiate the cartilage cap oi. an osteo chondroma from th;adjacent soft tissues. Evaluation of the growth of e xostosis and of the thickness of its cap is essential in the assesseme nt of malignant transformation. Both CT and MRI provide important info rmation about peculiar aspects of the cartilaginous matrix such as the shape of calcifications-ossifications and lobulated growth, septa, se ptal enchancement and necrotic intratumoral areas, furthermore, CT per fectly shows the patterns of bone destruction. MRI should be considere d as the most reliable imaging technique for the locoregional staging of malignant bone tumors thanks to its spatial and contrast resolution . CT plays a major role in the characterization of most bone tumors, e specially those with a cartilaginous matrix. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.