Magnetic Resonance applications in dental implantology: technical notes and preliminary results

PURPOSE: To evaluate the possible use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the field of dental implantology, for identifying the mandibular nerve, as proposed by several authors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI was used for the study of the mandible in ten subjects (five healthy volunteers and five subjects awaiting dental implants). Imaging was performed on a 1.0-T MR scanner with a brain coil. T2 TSE, T1 spin-echo and T2 gradient-echo sequences were performed, both parallel and perpendicular to the horizontal portion of the mandible, with a thickness of 3 mm. RESULTS: In all the subjects MRI clearly identified the intraosseous course of the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle within the mandibular canal. CONCLUSIONS: MRI appears useful for the depiction of the mandibular canal before dental implantation. Further studies are required to compare the accuracy of MRI and CT based on a statistically significant sample.     

儿童骨骼尤文肉瘤的影像学诊断和鉴别诊断

目的 探讨儿童骨骼尤文肉瘤在X线平片、CT和MRI上的影像学征象，以提高对其诊断和鉴别诊断能力。资料与方法 回顾性分析经临床病理证实的儿童骨骼尤文肉瘤11例，其中X线平片检查7例，单行MRI扫描2例，单行CT扫描4例，同时行MRI及CT扫描者4例。结果 11例尤文肉瘤中发生于骨盆4例，股骨3例，胫骨、肋骨、趾骨和脊柱各1例，其中胫骨和髂骨各1例术后出现颅骨转移。X线平片上6例表现为虫蚀状或溶骨性破坏，2例病灶略呈膨胀性改变，骨皮质破坏伴单层、多层或放射状骨膜反应，邻近软组织层次欠清；发生于肋骨的1例以硬化为主，CT像上髓腔密度增高，骨质鼠咬状或斑片状破坏伴骨皮质裂隙状或不规则破坏；2例骨皮质呈膨胀、变薄、中断，周围见不完整的层状骨膜反应及较大软组织肿块；MRI上表现为大片长T1长T2信号的骨质破坏和巨大的软组织肿块；1例肿块呈跨关节生长。结论 X线平片、CT和MPI在骨尤文肉瘤的评估方面有重要作用。X线平片可有助于肿瘤的定性和定位；MRI平扫T1WI像及短反转时间反转恢复技术(STIR)能清晰显示肿瘤的范围，在显示肿瘤对骨骺及邻近软组织的侵犯方面尤为敏感；CT在显示骨及骨皮质破坏等方面优于MRI。     

邻关节骨囊肿的CT、MR表现特点

目的探讨邻关节骨囊肿的影像学诊断。方法本组共36例经病理证实的邻关节骨囊肿病例,其中19例做了CT扫描检查,17例做了MRI检查,5例(5/36)同期做了CT和MRI检查。结果邻关节骨囊肿的CT上主要表现呈圆形或卵圆形的低密度病灶,边缘可见硬化,单房或多房,骨皮质可有断裂,病灶多位于关节软骨下,三维重建显示病灶与关节腔相通;MRI上主要表现呈类圆形或不规则形病灶,T1WI上为均匀的低信号,T2WI上为均匀的高信号,在STIR图像中异常信号未被抑制,病灶位于关节软骨下,增强扫描病灶边缘环形强化;病灶与关节相通。结论CT和MR是检测这类病变的重要手段。     

长骨骨干骨肉瘤X线、CT及MRI表现

目的 分析长骨骨干骨肉瘤X线、CT和MRI表现,探讨有关的临床特点和鉴别诊断.方法 28例长骨骨干骨肉瘤患者,均经手术与病理证实,其中病变位于股骨干18例、腓骨干4例、肱骨干4例、胫骨干2例.所有患者均行X线、CT和MR检查,对其影像学表现与手术病理结果进行对照,并由双盲法分析确认.结果 28例中,X线和CT显示广泛骨质破坏16例,骨膜反应22例.X线显示软组织肿块18例,肿瘤骨和瘤样钙化12例.CT平扫显示软组织肿块22例,增强扫描显示软组织肿块24例,肿瘤骨和瘤样钙化16例.MRI显示骨质破坏和骨膜反应10例,软组织肿块26例,其周围可见软组织水肿及骨髓水肿.骨膜反应在SE T1WI上呈等低信号,T2WI呈等信号.软组织肿块在T1WI为等信号,T2WI及STIR呈等高信号.软组织水肿及骨髓水肿在T2WI及STIR呈高信号.MRI增强检查显示病灶均呈不均匀强化,骨髓水肿和软组织肿块均见强化.结论 X线、CT和MRI从不同方面反映长骨骨干骨肉瘤的影像病理特点,其发病率低,骨破坏范围大,无病理性骨折.成骨型骨干骨肉瘤较易诊断,溶骨型应与Ewing瘤、恶性巨细胞瘤等鉴别.

Abstract：

Objective To explore the findings of diaphysial osteosarcoma in long bone on X-ray,CT and MRI, and discuss their clinical features and manifestations for differential diagnosis. Methods Twenty-eight cases with diaphysial osteosarcoma in long bone proved by surgery and pathology were reviewed retrospectively. Eighteen tumors were located in the femur, 4 in fibula, 4 in humerus and 2 in tibia. All of the patients were examined by X-ray, CT and MRI. The imaging manifestations on X-ray, CT and MRI were analyzed, and the relationship of the imaging features with the pathological types was also observed. The imaging signs were correlated with the pathologic findings with a double blind method. Results Of the 28 cases, there were 16 cases with large bone destruction, 22 cases with periosteal reaction on X-ray and CT. On X-ray, 18 cases showed soft tissue mass and 12 cases with neoplastic bone and tumor calcification.While on CT, 22 cases showed soft tissue mass on plain scan and 2 more cases displayed soft tissue mass after the injection of contrast mediun. Sixteen cases showed neoplastic bone and tumor calcification on CT.On MRI, there were 10 cases with bone destruction and periosteal reaction with iso- and hypo-intense on T1WI and iso- signals on T2WI. Twenty-six cases showed soft tissue edema and bone marrow on MRI. The soft mass were iso-signals on T1 WI and iso-hyperintense signals on T2 WI or STIR. The soft tissue edema was found hyperintense signals on T2WI or STIR. The lesions had heterogeneous enhancement especially in bone marrow with edema and adjcent soft tissue. Conclusion The X-ray, CT and MRI can reflect the pathological changes of diaphysial osteosarcoma in long bone from different aspects. Lower incidence, large bone destruction and no pathological fracture were the features of diaphysial osteosarcoma. The osteogenic type is diagnosed easily, but the osteolytic lesion should be differentiated from Ewing sarcoma, malignant giant cell tumor of bone and so on.     

面神经瘤的影像学研究

目的：研究面神经瘤的影像学检查方法和影像学表现,提高诊断准确性。方法：10例经手术病理证实的面神经瘤均行CT检查,6例还进行MR平扫和增强扫描。回顾性分析CT表现和MRI表现,并比较CT和MRI的优缺点。结果：10例面神经瘤中6例面神经鞘瘤和4例面神经纤维瘤,8例累及面神经水平段,6例累及膝部,4例累及乳突段,2例累及迷路段,3例累及内听道段,2例累及腮腺段,1例累及脑池段。主要CT表现：面神经管扩大9例;鼓室内软组织影7例;听小骨破坏5例;乳突蜂房内软组织肿块4例。主要MRI表现：6例均表现面神经增粗,其中2例显示鼓室内=乳突内和颈静脉窝软组织肿块,2例显示鼓室内软组织肿块;3例肿块呈略长T1、略长T2信号,信号不均匀,增强后呈不均匀强化;3例肿块与面神经呈等信号,信号均匀,呈均匀强化;2例面神经瘤累及内听道段面神经,平扫未显示,增强后呈明显强化而显示。比较CT与MRI表现后,发现2例累及面神经内听道段者MRI显示而CT未显示,1例累及面神经鼓室段起始部者MRI亦显示而CT未显示;对于较小的面神经瘤,MRI能直接显示增粗的面神经本身,而CT仅显示面神经管扩大和（或）破坏。结论：CT和MRI,尤其是MR增强扫描能很好地显示面神经瘤的形态、部位、范围和内部结构,有助于定位诊断和定性诊断,为临床制订手术方案和确定手术入路提供依据。     

Desmoplastic fibroma of bone: radiographic analysis

Desmoplastic fibroma (DF) of bone is a rare, nonmetastasizing but locally aggressive tumor that has been discussed infrequently in the radiology literature. The radiographs from 107 previously published cases of DF and seven cases from the authors' institution were analyzed to better understand and define its radiographic characteristics. DF was most common in the mandible, pelvis, and femur. A geographic pattern of bone destruction, with a narrow zone of transition and nonsclerotic margins, was seen in 80 (96%) patients with intraosseous DF for whom radiographs were available (83 patients). Internal pseudotrabeculation was seen in 76 (91%). Although widening of the host bone due to gradual apposition of periosteal new bone was common, occurring in 74 (89%) patients, distinct periosteal new bone occurred in only two (2%) patients with DF of intraosseous origin. The cortex was breached in 23 (28%) patients. Three cases of DF arising in the periosteum were identified and were differentiated radiographically from desmoid tumors of intraosseous or soft-tissue origin.     

骨小细胞恶性肿瘤的影像特征分析

目的 分析骨小细胞恶性肿瘤（SCMT）的临床及影像表现,以提高临床诊断水平。 方法 回顾性选取经病理证实的骨SCMT病人75例,其中恶性非霍奇金淋巴瘤（MNHL）25例[男20例、女5例,平均年龄（50.0±18.3）岁],骨的浆细胞瘤（PB）37例[男20例、女17例,平均年龄（59.1±12.4）岁]、尤文肉瘤（ES）13例[男11例、女2例,平均年龄（17.1±6.7）岁]。分析3种肿瘤病人临床资料、病灶X线摄影或CT特征及MRI特征。采用单因素方差分析、卡方检验或Fisher确切概率检验比较3组病人的临床资料和影像特征分布。 结果 3组间年龄、性别、骨质破坏类型、骨皮质破坏类型、膨胀性改变和残留骨嵴、病灶周围水肿、软组织肿块、骨膜反应差异均有统计学意义（均P<0.05）。MNHL组及PB组病人的平均年龄均高于ES组,3组男性均多于女性。3组X线及CT特征中,PB组中骨质破坏、骨皮质破坏、膨胀性改变及病变内残留骨嵴征象的占比均高于其余2组;其中PB组病人均可见骨质破坏和骨皮质破坏（100%）,且骨质破坏多呈溶骨性改变（90.6%）,并以骨皮质缺损多见（84.4%）。3组MRI特征中,ES组出现病灶周围水肿、软组织肿块和骨膜反应的占比均最高,其次为MNH组和PB组。ES组出现软组织肿块的占比高达100%,MNHL组和PB组中出现骨膜反应者仅占5.6%和4.8%。3组发生部位、T₂WI信号特点间的差异均无统计学意义（均P>0.05）。 结论 结合病人的年龄及影像学表现有助于鉴别骨SCMT。     

骨和累及骨的外周性原始神经外胚层瘤的临床病理与影像学表现

目的探讨骨和累及骨的外周性原始神经外胚层瘤(pPNETs)的临床病理与影像学表现。资料与方法7例中6例有X线检查、2例有CT检查、4例有MR检查,分析其临床病理和影像学特点。结果6例X线片上均呈溶骨性骨质破坏,其中2例病变区存在骨质硬化,5例合并软组织肿块,均未见骨膜反应。2例CT像上均为溶骨性骨质破坏合并软组织肿块形成,软组织内未见钙化或骨化。MRI检查4例中有3例病变在T1WI呈中等信号,1例在T1WI呈低信号,4例在T2WI上均呈中、高信号,信号不均匀,增强扫描呈中度不均匀强化。4例均合并软组织肿块,其中3例有囊变坏死区。结论影像学上骨内病变呈溶骨性破坏,可伴有病变区的骨质硬化而一般无骨膜反应,并伴有较大软组织肿块者应考虑到pPNETs的可能。     

骨肉瘤的X线、CT及MRI比较分析(附61例分析)

目的:探讨原发性骨肉瘤的X线、CT和MRI表现及诊断价值.方法:经穿刺或手术病理证实的61例骨肉瘤患者,52例行X线检查,39例行CT检查,55例行MRI检查,其中23例行MRI动态增强检查.回顾性分析其影像学表现并与病理学表现进行对照分析.结果:本组61例骨肉瘤中成骨型13例,溶骨型21例,混合型27例.52例X线检...     

Osteometry of the mandible performed using dental MR imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: On cross-sectional and panoramic reformatted images from axial (dental) CT scans of the mandible it may be difficult to identify the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle (IANB) in patients lacking a clear-cut bony delimitation of the mandibular canal. Dental MR images are comparable to dental CT scans, which directly show the IANB; however, measurements of length may not be reliable owing to susceptibility artifacts and field inhomogeneities in the oral cavity. Therefore, the accuracy of length measurements on dental MR images was compared with that on dental CT scans and direct osteometry. METHODS: Dental T1-weighted MR imaging using a high-resolution turbo gradient-echo sequence and dental CT were performed in six anatomic specimens. The axial scans were reformatted as panoramic and cross-sectional reconstructions on a workstation and characteristic cross sections were obtained from all mandibles. The longest axis in the bucco-lingual and apico-basal directions, the distances from the top of the mandibular canal to the top of the alveolar ridge and from the bottom of the mandibular canal to the base of the mandible, and the diameter of the bone cortex at the alveolar ridge were measured with direct osteometry on the cross sections and compared with measurements on corresponding MR and CT reformatted images. RESULTS: The correlation between direct osteometry and dental MR and CT was strong, except for the bone cortex diameter at the top of the alveolar ridge, where only a moderate correlation was found. Means of comparable length measurements were not significantly different among the three methods. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of length measurements in the jaw bones obtained using dental MR is comparable to that of dental CT and is not significantly different from direct osteometry. Thus, dental MR is a potential alternative to CT for dental imaging.     

骨嗜酸性肉芽肿的影像学分析

目的 探讨骨嗜酸性肉芽肿的影像学表现，资料与方法 回顾分析经病理证实的骨嗜酸性肉芽肿18例，其中X线平片检查16例，CT检查10例，MRI检查4例。结果 颅骨6例，表现为圆形。类圆形骨质破坏伴颅板内外软组织肿块；脊椎5例，椎体不规则破坏，边缘硬化，楔形变，椎旁软组织肿块。严重者椎体压缩呈盘状；肋骨2例，穿凿样或膨胀性骨质破坏；肩胛骨1例，斑片状骨质破坏伴周围广泛增生，有骨膜反应；股骨4例，膨胀性或溶骨性骨质破坏伴骨膜反应。MRI表现，T1WI呈低或等信号，STIR高信号，增强明显强化，18例中正确诊断12例，诊断准确率66.7%。结论 通过影像学检查，并结合临床，大部分骨嗜酸性肉芽肿术前能够正确诊断。CT较X线平片能更好的显示病变结构及邻近软组织的改变。MRI能够精确显示病变的范围。     

咀嚼肌间隙原发病变的CT、MRI诊断

目的探讨咀嚼肌间隙原发病变的CT、MRI表现,以提高诊断的准确性. 资料与方法回顾分析21例经手术病理证实的咀嚼肌间隙原发病变的CT、MRI资料. 结果 21例中,血管瘤4例,淋巴管瘤1例,脓肿3例,下颌骨边缘性骨髓炎4例,脂肪瘤2例,下颌骨黏液样瘤2例,下颌骨巨细胞肉芽肿及尤文肉瘤各1例,横纹肌肉瘤3例.所有病例均有间隙内脂肪密度不同程度的消失,肿瘤及感染病例可见咀嚼肌间隙变形,且咀嚼肌有不同程度的肿胀.血管瘤可见不均匀的强化;淋巴管瘤无强化,表现为多个小结节影;下颌骨巨细胞肉芽肿及下颌骨黏液样瘤可见下颌骨破坏;尤文肉瘤在CT上未见骨质破坏,在MR T1WI上可见下颌骨内的高信号脂肪影消失. 结论 CT和MRI可以清楚显示咀嚼肌间隙内的病变及其范围,可为临床手术提供依据.     

Craniofacial osteosarcomas: plain film, CT, and MR findings in 46 cases

Forty-six osteosarcomas of the cranial and facial bones were reviewed radiographically by using the conventional parameters for long bone tumors. There were 32 de novo osteosarcomas (11 maxillary, 13 mandibular, and eight cranial) and 14 postradiation osteosarcomas. All the maxillary tumors originated from the alveolar ridge, and the majority of mandibular lesions began in the body of the mandible. The postradiation osteosarcomas occurred in portions of bones at the borders of the radiation field; the latent period ranged from 4 years, 2 months to 50 years (mean, 14 years). The majority of de novo or postradiation craniofacial osteosarcomas were osteolytic with a long transition zone and no periosteal reaction; the exception was in the mandible, where nearly half the cases were osteoblastic and periosteal reaction was occasionally present. Tumor matrix mineralization occurred in more than 75% of the cases, and osteoid matrix calcification was most frequent, even though most tumors were chondroblastic. Soft-tissue extension of tumor was present in all cases and contained calcifications in more than half. Conventional radiographs are of limited value in evaluating head and neck osteosarcomas because of the superimposed bony structures. CT provides excellent detection of tumor calcification, cortical involvement, and, in most instances, soft-tissue and intramedullary extension. MR is even more effective in demonstrating the intramedullary and extraosseous tumor components on both T1- and T2-weighted images. However, CT and plain films are superior to MR in detecting the matrix calcifications and bone destruction or reaction.     

A potential pitfall of MR imaging for assessing mandibular invasion of squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Whether MR imaging is superior to CT in evaluating the presence and extent of mandibular invasion by squamous cell carcinoma remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to directly compare the diagnostic accuracy of MR imaging and that of CT. METHODS: MR and CT images in 51 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were evaluated for the presence and extent of mandibular invasion. The results were correlated with histopathologic findings. RESULTS: Twenty-five of 51 patients had histopathologic evidence of mandibular cortical invasion. The tumor involved both the cortex and the bone marrow in all 25 patients and involved the inferior alveolar canal in 5 patients. The sensitivity and specificity for mandibular cortical invasion were 96% and 54% for MR imaging and 100% and 88% for CT, respectively. Those for inferior alveolar canal involvement were 100% and 70% for MR imaging and 100% and 96% for CT, respectively. In both evaluations, the specificity of MR imaging was significantly lower than that of CT (McNemar test, P = .004 in the former and P = .002 in the latter). Chemical shift artifact by bone marrow fat was postulated to be the source of most false-positive cases on MR imaging findings for mandibular cortical invasion. Those for inferior alveolar canal involvement were due to MR imaging visualization of the tumor and surrounding inflammation with similar signal intensity. CONCLUSION: In assessing the presence and extent of mandibular invasion by squamous cell carcinoma, the specificity of MR imaging was significantly lower than that of CT.     

Primary musculoskeletal tumors: examination with MR imaging compared with conventional modalities

In 176 cases of primary musculo-skeletal tumors, the informative value of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was compared with that of plain radiographic examination, angiography, scintigraphy, and computed tomography (CT). In all patients the surgical and histopathologic results were known. For bone tumors confined to the bone, MR imaging was excellent for evaluation of intraosseous extent, but it could not be proved significantly better than CT or scintigraphy. MR imaging was inferior to plain radiography and CT for evaluation of calcification, ossification, cortical destruction, and endosteal/periosteal reaction. For soft-tissue tumors and bone tumors with soft-tissue extension, MR imaging was significantly better than the other modalities in all variables examined: delineation between tumor and muscle, tumor and vessel, tumor and fat, tumor and joint, and tumor and bone, as well as depicting intralesional necrosis and bleeding.     

儿童眼眶转移性神经母细胞瘤和绿色瘤的特征性MR表现

目的 分析儿童眼眶转移性神经母细胞瘤和绿色瘤的特征性MR表现。资料与方法 回顾性分析经手术病理证实的9例儿童眼眶转移性神经母细胞瘤和5例绿色瘤的CT和MRI表现。所有病例均行CT平扫以及MRI平扫和增强扫描。结果 14例CT表现均为眼眶不规则肿块和邻近的眶壁溶骨性骨质破坏,7例骨质破坏区邻近的颅内可见扁平不规则肿块。2例转移性神经母细胞瘤表现为眼眶肌锥外间隙肿块内有与眶外壁垂直的针状高密度影。14例MRI表现为眼眶肌锥外间隙略长T1、略长T2信号不规则软组织影,7例骨质破坏区邻近的颅内硬膜外间隙可见略长T1、略长T2信号扁平不规则肿块,增强后明显强化。14例双侧眶骨及蝶骨大翼,9例斜坡和双侧岩尖及2例双侧颞骨鳞部骨髓腔脂肪高信号影被略长T1、略长T2信号影取代,采用脂肪抑制的增强T1WI显示均有强化,强化程度与眼眶内肿块相似。结论 儿童眼眶转移性神经母细胞瘤和绿色瘤的眶壁和颅面骨MR表现具有特征,有助于诊断和鉴别诊断。     

骨母细胞瘤的影像学诊断

目的 :评价影像学检查对骨母细胞瘤的诊断价值。方法 :对 18例经手术病理证实骨母细胞瘤的影像学表现进行回顾性分析。 18例均摄了平片 ,6 / 18例均行CT平扫和增强、10 / 18例均行MR平扫和增强。结果 :脊柱 6例 ,颅骨 4例 ,胫骨 2例 ,股骨 2例 ,肱骨、骨盆、距骨、软组织各 1例。骨母细胞瘤以脊柱及长管状骨好发。平片和CT多表现、膨胀性囊状骨破坏 ,病灶内常有钙化、骨化 ,边缘常有轻度硬化缘 ;MRI检查多呈不均匀性长T1、T2 囊状膨胀性骨质破坏 ,增强扫描多呈不均匀性强化 ,部分见液平和软组织肿块 ;一般无骨反应。结论 :CT、MRI对骨母细胞瘤诊断较平片有优势 ,综合影像学检查能提高诊断符合率。     

骨膜骨肉瘤的影像学诊断与病理学分析

目的:探讨骨膜骨肉瘤的影像学及组织病理学特点。方法:收集6例骨膜骨肉瘤患者的临床及影像资料;6例均摄X线平片,5例行CT扫描,4例行MRI扫描;对其影像学及组织病理学表现进行分析和总结。结果:骨膜骨肉瘤好发于胫骨,影像学表现为发生在长骨的骨干或相当于干骺部位置的骨表面肿块,病灶内见局灶性骨化或环状钙化(本组3例),边缘可见骨膜反应(本组2例),肿瘤下骨皮质不受侵,但不侵犯骨髓腔。骨膜骨肉瘤组织学上由大量分叶软骨构成,肿瘤细胞呈明显异型性。结论:骨膜骨肉瘤是位于长骨骨皮质表面的恶性骨肿瘤,影像表现与病理表现相结合可作出正确诊断。     

舌下神经鞘瘤的CT和MRI表现及其病理基础(附4例报告)

目的 研究舌下神经鞘瘤的CT、MRI特征性表现。方法 回顾分析了4例经手术病理证实的舌下神经鞘瘤CT和MRI表现。结果 从病变部位看，右侧3例，左侧1例；颅内段2例，颅内与颅外段同时受累2例。CT表现：舌下神经孔扩大和骨质破坏，并见软组织块影2例。MRI表现：舌下神经径路上出现圆形、椭圆形的软组织块影4例，T1WI为等信号，T2WI为等信号和高信号；有明显的强化。结论 舌下神经径路上出现软组织块影是其特点；MRI对舌下神经鞘瘤的诊断优于CT，特别是MRI增强扫描。     

Anterior mandible canal communications: a potential portal of entry for tumour spread

OBJECTIVES: CT is often used to assess the fine anatomy of the anterior mandible. The objectives of this study were to (1) investigate the presence of communications between the inner and outer bone plates in this area, (2) localize these communications in relation to surgical-anatomical landmarks and (3) review the literature related to mandibular cancer invasion. METHODS: CT images of 50 patients were used for the identification of the intrabony canals and for the localization of canalicular communications connecting the labial and lingual mandibular plates, in relation to the mental foramen. RESULTS: Communications between the labial and lingual mandibular plates were found in 14 (28%) of 50 patients. These communications mainly appeared as a crossing of the lateral lingual with the incisive canal, but also as an extension of the median lingual canal to the labial plate. CONCLUSION: There is radiological evidence for the presence of a canalicular network bringing into communication the inner and outer bone plates in the anterior mandible. There are also indications that such a finding could assist in the better understanding of bone tumour invasion and spread. Further studies are required to verify and evaluate these findings.