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

Part A: benign conditions that may mimic malignancy

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Abstract

A wide range of musculoskeletal tumors and tumor-like conditions may be encountered when patients undergo radiological examinations. The imaging features of certain normal, reactive, benign neoplastic, inflammatory, traumatic, and degenerative processes in the musculoskeletal system may mimic malignant tumor; misinterpretation of the imaging findings can lead to inappropriate clinical management of the patient. This review describes and illustrates a number of such mimics that we have commonly encountered in our oncological imaging practice, and provides suggestions for avoiding each of these pitfalls. Because many orthopaedic surgeons interpret radiological images themselves, they need to be as aware as radiologists about these issues.

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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, Robert A. Lefkowitz, Jonathan Landa & David M. Panicek

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

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

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  1. Gary Ulaner
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  2. Sinchun Hwang
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  3. Robert A. Lefkowitz
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  4. Jonathan Landa
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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., Lefkowitz, R.A. et al. Musculoskeletal tumors and tumor-like conditions: common and avoidable pitfalls at imaging in patients with known or suspected cancer. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 37, 871–876 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-1823-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-1823-7

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