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Musculoskeletal tumours and tumour-like conditions: common and avoidable pitfalls at imaging in patients with known or suspected cancer

Part B: malignant mimics of benign tumours

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Abstract

A wide range of musculoskeletal tumours and tumour-like conditions may be encountered when patients undergo radiological examinations. Some malignant musculoskeletal lesions may mimic benign tumours at imaging, being confused with benign cystic lesions or haematomas. Also, inappropriately selected magnetic resonance (MR) image sequences or computed tomography (CT) display windows can lead to misdiagnosis. Many orthopaedic surgeons interpret radiological images themselves, and therefore need to be as aware of these issues as radiologists are. This review describes and illustrates a number of such errors that commonly occur, and provides suggestions for avoiding these pitfalls.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Gary Ulaner, Sinchun Hwang, Jonathan Landa, Robert A. Lefkowitz & David M. Panicek

  2. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA

    Gary Ulaner, Sinchun Hwang, Jonathan Landa, Robert A. Lefkowitz & David M. Panicek

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  1. Gary Ulaner
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  2. Sinchun Hwang
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  3. Jonathan Landa
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  4. Robert A. Lefkowitz
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  5. David M. Panicek
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Correspondence to David M. Panicek.

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Ulaner, G., Hwang, S., Landa, J. et al. Musculoskeletal tumours and tumour-like conditions: common and avoidable pitfalls at imaging in patients with known or suspected cancer. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 37, 877–882 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-1824-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-1824-6

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