Chondroblastoma: MR characteristics with pathologic correlation

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the MR findings of chond roblastoma with pathologic correlation. Method: In 22 patients with pathologically proven chondroblastoma, MR signa l characteristics were correlated with pathological findings. Results: On T2-weighted images, 12 (55%) lesions were hyperintense with hyp ointense areas in 9 lesions, whereas 10 (45%) were hypointense. Therefore, 19 of 22 (86%) lesions with pathologic correlation had hypointense areas en tirely (n = 10) or partly (n = 9) on T2-weighted images. Od gadolinium-enha nced images, 13 (59%) lesions showed lobular enhancement and 9 (41%) showed marginal and septal enhancement. Low signal intensity on T2-weighted MR im ages was most strongly associated with an abundance of immature chondroid m atrix, hypercellularity of the chondroblasts, calcifications, and hemosider in on histology. Conclusion: Chondroblastoma was found to show hypointense portions on T2-we ighted images. Signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted MR images in chondro blastoma was dependent on the amounts of histopathological components.