Role of MRI in evaluation of bone tumors and tumor-like lesions

Richa Arora

Role of MRI in evaluation of bone tumors and tumor-like lesions

Richa Arora

NizamÃ¢Â€Â™s Institute of Medical Sciences, India

: J Diagn Tech Biomed Anal

Abstract

T he diagnosis of osseous neoplasms relies predominantly on their systematic analysis on plain radiographs with attention to features like location, margins and zone of transition, matrix, periosteal reaction, cortical destruction, soft tissue component, number of lesions. MRI further helps narrowing the differential or making a specific diagnosis in problematic cases due to its excellent contrast resolution and ability to demonstrate the components like cartilage, fat, vascular tissue, hemorrhage and necrosis. It is also more sensitive to detect radiographically subtle marrow lesions. Moreover, it provides additional crucial information required for local staging and surgical planning like degree of intramedullary extension, involvement of muscle compartments, neurovascular bundles, presence of skip lesions, invasion of adjacent physeal plates and intra-articular extension. Additionally, contrast enhanced MRI helps in differentiating solid from cystic lesions and demonstrating tumoral enhancement characteristics along with depicting most vascularized components. Biopsies done under MRI guidance help in avoiding sampling necrotic tissues. It also helps in follow-up of these cases and assessing treatment response to neoadjuvant therapy. I will share my experience with MR evaluation of bone tumors.