Radiographic Imaging of Musculoskeletal Neoplasia
Background: Imaging is an integral part of the diagnosis, staging and evaluation of outcomes for bone and soft-tissue neoplasms. Each of the available imaging tools has a different role.
Methods: The authors reviewed the efficacy of the current imaging modalities in the diagnosis, staging, and follow-up of patients with musculoskeletal neoplasia.
Results: Plain-film radiography remains the gold standard in the differential diagnosis of bone lesions. Bone scintigraphy is an excellent screening modality, and computed tomography is especially useful in evaluating lesions of the axial skeleton. The superior soft-tissue resolution and multiplanar capabilities achieved with magnetic resonance imaging, however, has replaced the need for CT scans in many cases.
Conclusions: The technological advances seen in recent years in all areas of imaging have improved the capabilities of these modalities to assist in the diagnosis, definition of tumor extent, and accurate staging of musculoskeletal tumors.
The last two decades have witnessed a dramatic change in the approach to the treatment of musculoskeletal neoplasia. The development of more effective chemotherapeutic agents, combined with improvements in limb salvage surgery and advances in imaging technology, has resulted in improved staging and ultimate outcome in patients with these bone and soft-tissue lesions.
The role of medical imaging in diagnosis, staging, and eventual follow-up of patients with musculoskeletal neoplasia has expanded, particularly as high-quality magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a common tool in the armamentarium of most practitioners. This article presents an overview of the imaging modalities currently used in evaluating musculoskeletal lesions, discusses the role that each diagnostic entity plays in tumor staging, and provides a glimpse of what the future holds for further technological advancement.
Abstract
Background: Imaging is an integral part of the diagnosis, staging and evaluation of outcomes for bone and soft-tissue neoplasms. Each of the available imaging tools has a different role.
Methods: The authors reviewed the efficacy of the current imaging modalities in the diagnosis, staging, and follow-up of patients with musculoskeletal neoplasia.
Results: Plain-film radiography remains the gold standard in the differential diagnosis of bone lesions. Bone scintigraphy is an excellent screening modality, and computed tomography is especially useful in evaluating lesions of the axial skeleton. The superior soft-tissue resolution and multiplanar capabilities achieved with magnetic resonance imaging, however, has replaced the need for CT scans in many cases.
Conclusions: The technological advances seen in recent years in all areas of imaging have improved the capabilities of these modalities to assist in the diagnosis, definition of tumor extent, and accurate staging of musculoskeletal tumors.
Introduction
The last two decades have witnessed a dramatic change in the approach to the treatment of musculoskeletal neoplasia. The development of more effective chemotherapeutic agents, combined with improvements in limb salvage surgery and advances in imaging technology, has resulted in improved staging and ultimate outcome in patients with these bone and soft-tissue lesions.
The role of medical imaging in diagnosis, staging, and eventual follow-up of patients with musculoskeletal neoplasia has expanded, particularly as high-quality magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a common tool in the armamentarium of most practitioners. This article presents an overview of the imaging modalities currently used in evaluating musculoskeletal lesions, discusses the role that each diagnostic entity plays in tumor staging, and provides a glimpse of what the future holds for further technological advancement.
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