Radiographic features of Ewing's sarcoma of the bones of the hands and feet

The radiographic features of Ewing's sarcoma of the bones of the hands and feet are reviewed utilizing cases obtained from the Mayo Clinic patient fil es and the consultation files of Drs. D.C. Dahlin and K.K. Unni. This serie s consists of a total of 43 cases of pathologically proven Ewing's sarcoma involving the small bones of the hands and feet. The classic radiographic f eatures of Ewing's sarcoma in the long bones, including lytic, permeative d estruction, aggressive periosteal reaction, cortical violation, and a soft tissue mass, are also seen in the bones of the hands and feet, with similar frequency. These classic features are most commonly present in lesions aff ecting the short tubular bones. Lesions affecting the tarsal bones more oft en demonstrate atypical radiographic features. These atypical radiographic appearances may play a role in the reported delay in diagnosis of Ewing's s arcoma within the tarsal bones.