AIM: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential in the pre-operative sta
ging of suspected primary bone and soft-tissue sarcomas, Such lesions are i
deally managed in specialist centres but it is becoming increasingly common
for patients to undergo MRI before referral. The aim of this study was to
assess the adequacy of such studies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients (30 men, 20 women; mean age 39 years,
range 9-89 years) were included over a I-year period. Tumours included 31
suspected primary bone tumours and 19 soft-tissue tumours.
RESULTS: The total number of sequences used was 225 (mean 4, range 2-8). En
hancement was used in 19 cases. The commonest mistake was the failure to im
age the whole bone for 'skip' metastases in 50% of appropriate cases (high-
grade malignant lesions of bone). Reports were available in 40 cases. Speci
fic information regarding precise intraosseous and extraosseous extent of t
umour and relationship to the neurovascular bundle and adjacent joint was c
ommonly not included.
CONCLUSIONS: This audit indicates that a greater awareness is needed amongs
t general radiologists of the MR imaging and reporting requirements for mus
culoskeletal tumours, In particular, all important axial imaging is sometim
es omitted. (C) 2000 The Royal College of Radiologists.