Radiological Characterization Of Primary Malignant Bone Tumors In Patient

Bone tumors are a commonly encountered diagnostic dilemma for radiologists. Benign and malignant neoplasms, metabolic abnormalities, and tumor like conditions (reactive focal abnormalities often related to developmental or inflammatory causes) all fall under the purview of bone tumors. Primary bone tumors are rare; tumor like conditions, metastasis, and lymphohematological malignancies outnumber primary bone tumors by far. Conventional radiography is recommended as the initial imaging modality for suspected bone tumors. Radiography provides excellent resolution and yields the most useful information about the morphologic characteristics of a lesion providing important diagnostic information regarding aggressive or nonaggressive characteristics of the lesion. The combination of radiographic imaging findings, clinical information such as the age of the patient, and in some cases histology, are all essential. Rather than discussing an in-depth analysis of every bone tumor, we will instead focus on a systematic approach to the radiographic analysis of bone tumors. The figures and tables in this article will help readers become familiar with specific radiographic appearances, location, and age predilection of common bone tumors and help to organize a differential diagnosis when analyzing a bone lesion.