Metaphyseal and diaphyseal chondroblastomas

Objective  

Epiphyseal/apophyseal locations are important diagnostic radiological features of chondroblastomas (CB). Although the tumor may secondarily involve the metaphysis, reports of primary metaphyseal or diaphyseal CB without any epiphyseal or apophyseal involvement are exceptionally rare and frequently present as a diagnostic dilemma. The purpose of this study was to present seven cases of pure metaphyseal and/or diaphyseal CB along with a review of pertinent literature.     

Bone scans with one or two new abnormalities in cancer patients with no known metastases: frequency and serial scintigraphic behavior of benign and malignant lesions

Scintigraphic, radiologic, and clinical follow-up findings were reviewed in cases in which bone scans (n = 301) showed one or two new abnormalities in patients with malignancy but no known metastases. Metastatic disease was confirmed for 25 of 231 scans (11%) with one new abnormality and for 17 of 70 scans (24%) with two new abnormalities. The prevalence of metastases was 0.06 to 0.13 for lesions in all regions of the skeleton, except the sternum (three of six) and the pelvis (10 of 32). On follow-up scans, in the absence of an interval change in therapy, 19 of 21 metastases became more intense, whereas most benign abnormalities either remained unchanged (47%) or resolved (41%). Benign lesions in the ribs, extremities, and pelvis generally resolved within 12-24 months, while most benign skull and spine abnormalities were still apparent after 35-58 months of follow-up.     

Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (McCune-Albright) with rare multiple epiphyseal lesions in association with aneurysmal bone cyst and pathologic fracture

Fibrous dysplasia, including McCune-Albright syndrome, is a genetic, non-inheritable benign bone disorder that may involve a single or multiple bone, typically occurring in the diaphysis or the metaphysis of long bones. In very rare instances polyostotic fibrous dysplasia present involvement of the epiphysis in long bones. Aneurysmal bone cysts are benign, expansile, lytic bone lesions formed by cystic cavities containing blood, that may occur de novo or secondary to other lesions of bone, including fibrous dysplasia. We report a case of an 18-year-old female with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (McCune-Albright syndrome) with diaphyseal and unusual multiple foci of epiphyseal involvement of long bones as well as in the patella, and a simultaneous aneurysmal bone cyst of the left femoral neck with pathologic fracture. This is the first report of a simultaneous aneurysmal bone cyst in a patient with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (McCune-Albright syndrome) with involvement of diaphysis and epiphysis of long bones, highlighting that fibrous dysplasia should be included in the differential diagnosis of polyostotic tumors involving the diaphysis as well as the epiphysis. In patients with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia there should be an active search for lesions in the epiphysis.     

Nuclear medicine studies in evaluation of skeletal lesions in children with histiocytosis X

Radiographs were compared with 99mTc scans of the bones and bone marrow as well as 67Ga-citrate scans to evaluate their sensitivity in identifying skeletal lesions in 21 children with histiocytosis X. Seven of 20 bone scans were completely normal in patients with extensive radiographic evidence of skeletal disease. In only one patient were bone scan changes demonstrated prior to radiographic abnormalities. None of the lesions was "cold" on the bone scans. 99mTc-sulfur colloid bone marrow scans and 67Ga-citrate whole-body scans were not valuable. Radiographic survey of the skeleton should be the primary diagnostic test employed in patients with histiocytosis X who have suspected skeletal lesions. Bone scans should be obtained only when the radiographs are normal or equivocal.     

新生儿先天性梅毒骨骼改变的X线表现

目的:探讨新生儿先天性梅毒骨骼X线表现的诊断及其治疗后随访的价值.方法:搜集经临床及梅毒血清学检查确诊的新生儿先天性梅毒的X线平片资料进行回顾性分析.结果:232例中149例长骨有异常改变,长骨干骺端先期钙化带下透亮带55例,干骺端不光整、呈锯齿状改变34例,干骺端见尖角征31例,骨干密度不均9例,骨干骨皮质增厚2例,骨膜反应11例.不规则骨改变6例,短骨改变10例,表现为髂骨先期钙化带下见弧形透亮带3例,肩胛骨先期钙化带下见弧形透亮带3例,掌骨周围见透亮带4例,跟骨周围见环形透亮带3例,距骨见环形透亮带3例.24例随访病人,6～12个月骨骼破坏基本修复.结论:新生儿先天性梅毒骨骼受累出现率较高,其X线表现具有一定的特征性,可作为一种诊断手段,并指导治疗和评价疗效.     

Stress fractures after surgery for osteosarcoma: scintigraphic assessment

To determine how often stress fractures occur in patients who have undergone surgery for osteosarcoma of a lower limb and to characterize such lesions, 156 bone scans obtained in 43 such patients were reviewed for bone stress. Of 43 patients who had undergone amputation or limb-preserving procedures, 42 (98%) had abnormalities on scintiscans attributable to bone stress; 31 had focal or mixed focal and diffuse lesions. Bones most commonly involved were those of the contralateral leg, pelvis, ipsilateral leg, and arms. Focal and mixed lesions seemed to be associated with increased work load on the limb involved. Findings indicated that the more active the patient, the more severe the bone stress. Because of their distribution, appearance, and intensity of tracer uptake, most stress-related lesions were readily distinguishable from bony metastases on scintiscans. Questionable lesions should be evaluated further with other imaging methods.     

婴儿长骨急性血源性骨髓炎的MRI表现及其诊断价值

目的探讨婴儿长骨急性血源性骨髓炎的MRI表现及其诊断价值。资料与方法 21例长骨急性血源性骨髓炎病例均经临床及病理证实,9例采用Siemens Novus 0.35 T MR机,12例采用Siemens Avanto 1.5 T超导型MR机对病灶及邻近关节行轴位、矢状位及冠状位扫描。结果将婴儿长骨急性血源性骨髓炎分为三种类型:(1)骨骺干骺型(16例):病变位于股骨干骺端6例、胫骨干骺端5例、肱骨干骺端5例。16例长骨干骺端病灶合并骨骺及骺板受累、化脓性关节炎,其中2例合并骨膜下脓肿,1例合并骨骺分离,1例合并关节脱位,病灶在T1WI呈低或稍低信号,T2WI、PD-STIR及梯度回波序列呈高信号,以PD-STIR显示更明显;(2)干骺型(3例):病变位于股骨干骺端2例,胫骨干骺端1例,无骺板及骨骺受累,病灶呈片状稍长T1、长T2信号;(3)骨干型(2例):病变位于胫骨及尺桡骨骨干各1例,MRI表现为骨干广泛骨质破坏及骨膜反应。2例增强扫描髓腔内病灶及周围软组织见不均匀斑片状强化。结论婴儿长骨急性血源性骨髓炎有其自身发病特点,认识其病理解剖学基础及MRI表现,对评价骨髓炎的严重程度及预后有十分重要的意义。     

Association of prostate-specific antigen levels and patterns of benign and malignant uptake detected. on bone scintigraphy in patients with newly diagnosed prostate carcinoma

The bone scan patterns of benign and malignant uptake in 432 patients with newly diagnosed prostate carcinoma were reviewed in relation to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels determined within 4 months of scintigraphy. Scan results were categorized in terms of likelihood of metastatic disease and anatomical locations of benign and malignant lesions were tabulated. At least one suspect focus was identified in 138 scans (32%), and metastatic bone disease was present in 38 (9%). Metastatic disease prevalence increased from 1% for PSA <20 ng x ml(-1) to 58% for PSA>100 ng x ml(-1). Among patients with PSA>20 ng x ml(-1) (n = 157), 70 (45%) had at least one bone scan finding of concern for metastases and 35 (22%) proved to have metastatic disease. Almost all scans with metastases had either limited disease (< or = 5 suspicious lesions; n = 16; 42%) or extensive metastases (> 20 abnormalities; n = 19; 50%). The majority of patients with limited skeletal metastases had PSA < 100 ng x ml(-1) (11/16; 69%), while almost all patients with extensive skeletal involvement had PSA >100 ng x ml(-1) (17/19; 89%). Among those with limited metastatic disease, most (13/16; 81%) had at least one lesion in the pelvis or sacrum; the next most common sites were in the thoracic and lumbar spine (six each; 38%). In scans with a low to moderate suspicion for bone metastases, the only anatomical site with a significantly higher prevalence of malignant than benign lesions was the pelvis.     

Focal spinal abnormalities on bone scans in ankylosing spondylitis: a clue to the presence of fracture or pseudarthrosis

Four cases of ankylosing spondylitis are presented in which radionuclide bone studies indicated focal abnormalities of the spine. In three patients, the area of abnormal nuclide uptake corresponded to a site of pseudarthrosis, and in the fourth an acute fracture was present. As such focal lesions on bone scans are unusual in cases of chronic ankylosing spondylitis in which a complication is not apparent, their presence can be a useful finding.     

MR findings of desmoplastic fibroma of the spine. A case report

We report on the MR imaging findings in a case of spinal desmoplastic fibroma (DF). DF of the bone is a rare, locally aggressive tumor. It is commonly located in long bones, pelvis or mandible. DF involving the spine is extremely rare and difficult to distinguish from other bony lesions such as giant cell tumor, chordoma and fibrous dysplasia of the spine. This case of DF of the spine showed MR findings similar to those of DF arising in the metaphysis of a long bone.     

Deferoxamine-induced bone dysplasia in the distal femur and patella of pediatric patients and young adults: MR imaging appearance

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the MR imaging appearance of deferoxamine-induced bone dysplasia in the distal femur and patella in patients with thalassemia major. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients with homozygous ss-thalassemia major who were undergoing regular transfusions and chelation therapy underwent coronal T1-weighted MR imaging of the femur, including the femoral head and the distal femoral epiphysis. Additional coronal fat-saturated dual-echo and sagittal T1-weighted images of the distal femur and patella were obtained in 11 patients who were suspected of having distal femoral lesions on the basis of the coronal T1-weighted images of the entire femur. RESULTS: No dysplastic change was detected in the proximal femur on coronal T1-weighted images. In 22 distal femurs of 11 patients, the following abnormalities were detected on MR imaging: blurred physeal-metaphyseal junction (n = 22), distal metaphyseal areas of hyperintensity (n = 21), physeal widening (n = 18), metadiaphyseal lesions (n = 11), epiphyseal lesions (n = 10), and patellar lesions (n = 2). Physeal widening and distal metaphyseal hyperintense areas were all more pronounced peripherally. Of the 21 distal metaphyseal hyperintensities, lateral abnormalities were larger than medial abnormalities in 16. Of the 18 distal femurs in which physeal widening was detected, the lateral widening was more marked than the medial widening in 12. Patients with MR imaging evidence of bone dysplasia have a significantly (p = 0.003) greater height reduction than patients without such evidence of bone dysplasia. CONCLUSION: Deferoxamine-induced bone dysplasia in the distal femur and patella is represented by a spectrum of morphologic changes in the epiphysis, physis, metaphysis, and metadiaphysis on MR imaging.     

Whole-body MRI using a rolling table platform for the detection of bone metastases

The aim of this study was to compare the results of whole-body MRI using a recently developed rolling table platform with findings of nuclear scintigraphy in patients with bone metastases. Twenty-six patients with known or suspected bone metastases who had undergone radionuclide scintigraphy were examined by MRI. Patients were placed on a rolling table platform with integrated phased-array surface coils [BodySURF (system for unlimited field of view)] capable of pulling the patient through the isocenter of the magnet. Using a five-station approach three different image sets (T1-weighted gradient recalled echo, half-Fourier acquired single-shot turbo spin echo, and short tau inversion recovery) were collected in the coronal plane. In addition, the spine was imaged in the sagittal plane. The MRI findings were compared with the results obtained by scintigraphy. The whole-body MR examination lasting merely 40 min was feasible in all 26 patients. The MRI revealed excellent correlation with scintigraphy regarding metastatic lesions. A total of 60 regions with metastatic lesions were identified on bone scintigraphy. Fifty-three regions were detected on identical locations by MRI. The regions missed by MRI were located mainly in ribs and skull. The MRI could identify additional bone metastases in spine, pelvis, and femur. The MRI screening for bone metastases correlated well with bone scintigraphy. Use of the rolling table platform permits rapid imaging based on three different contrast mechanisms of the entire skeletal system.     

Association between number and sites of new bone scan abnormalities and presence of skeletal metastases in patients with breast cancer

Review of 1,441 bone scans performed on 242 breast cancer patients without known skeletal metastases identified 239 scans with new abnormalities. Findings on 54 of these 239 scans (23%) represented bone metastases. The proportion of scans reflecting metastases, grouped by the number of new abnormalities, was: (1) 20/182 (11%); (2) 9/26 (35%); (3) 4/9 (45%); (4) 1/2 (50%); greater than or equal to 5-20/20 (100%). When metastatic disease presented as a bone scan with 1-4 new abnormalities, the spine was the most common site of involvement (18 of 34 (53%)), followed by the skull (5/34; 15%), extremities and sternum (each 4/34; 12%). Rib lesions were the most common new findings on scans with less than 5 new abnormalities (seen on 76 of 219 scans (35%)) but only infrequently represented metastases (n = 2). Considering as indicative of malignancy only, those bone scans which demonstrated either (a) greater than or equal to 5 new abnormalities, (b) initial radiographic correlation suggestive of metastases, or (c) thoracic spine lesions with normal correlative radiographs, the presence of skeletal metastatic disease could be predicted with a sensitivity of 0.80 and a specificity of 0.94.     

Solitary hot spots in the ribs on bone scan: value of thin-section reformatted computed tomography to exclude radiography-negative fractures

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to classify solitary, scintigraphy-positive and radiography-negative rib lesions and to clarify the features of rib fractures by using thin-section reformatted helical computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Forty-seven patients whose whole-body bone scans showed a solitary hot spot in a rib as their first abnormal scintigraphic finding and whose plain radiograph showed negative or indeterminate results were examined by thin-section reformatted CT. Final diagnosis was based on follow-up over a 20-month period. RESULTS: The final diagnosis included 17 cases of fractures where CT findings were fracture line, focal sclerosis, and callus formation. Fourteen ribs demonstrated intramedullary, focal osteosclerosis, and 8 ribs did not demonstrate any abnormalities. Four metastatic lesions appeared as intramedullary mixture of osteolysis and osteosclerosis, or bone destruction. Four intramedullary lesions with cystic appearance remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Thin-section reformatted helical CT delineated minute, radiographically occult fractures of the rib. Excluding fractures, helical CT can avoid further unnecessary examinations.     

CT-guided biopsy of focal lesions in patients with multiple myeloma may reveal new and more aggressive cytogenetic abnormalities

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cytogenetic abnormalities, especially chromosome 13 deletion, are high-risk factors for multiple myeloma. Attaining the highest detection rates of cytogenetic abnormalities is important to provide accurate prognostic information to the referring oncologist. The purpose of this study was to use CT-guided percutaneous fine-needle aspiration bone biopsy (CT-guided FNA) of MR-detected focal lesions in patients with multiple myeloma to increase identification of abnormal cytogenetics. METHODS: Patients enrolled in two clinical trials for myeloma therapy underwent MR imaging of the entire spine and pelvis. CT-guided FNA biopsy samples obtained from MR-detected focal lesions in these patients were sent for cytogenetic analysis. FNA results were then compared with random bone marrow sampling of the iliac crest done at or near the same time as the FNA to provide the data revealed in this study. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (47 lesions) in one of the trials and 37 patients (38 lesions) in the other trial had biopsies performed. CT-guided FNA revealed cytogenetic abnormalities in 21% of the total patient population and new information in nearly 10% of the patients in one trial and in 20% of those in the other trial. CONCLUSION: CT-guided biopsy of MR-detected focal lesions is a safe technique that can provide important cytogenetic information in a significant number of patients with multiple myeloma not identified during random marrow sampling.     

The effect of iatrogenic trauma on the bone scintigram: an animal study: concise communication

An animal study was performed to assess the effect on the Tc-99m phosphate bone scintigram of injury by needle aspiration or drill hole to metaphyseal and diaphyseal areas in immature and mature bones. Results showed that in 12 immature rabbits such trauma to metaphyseal regions had no effect on the bone image. Similar metaphyseal trauma in two mature dogs showed definite abnormalities on the bone image, but in one mature rabbit, no abnormality could be identified by scintigram. Diaphyseal trauma always gave a definitely abnormal bone image. Extrapolation of these results to humans should be cautious, but it suggests that needling or drilling in metaphyseal regions in neonates or young children probably does not affect later bone images.     

Early MR demonstration of spinal metastases in patients with normal radiographs and CT and radionuclide bone scans

Forty patients with known primary tumor and progressive back pain, suspected of having spinal metastatic disease, underwent magnetic resonance (MR) examinations of the thoracic and lumbosacral spine. Conventional radiographs and CT scans of the spine were all normal. The radionuclide bone scans were equivocal. In 21 patients focal or diffuse vertebral MR abnormalities were detected. In nine patients the lesions were hypointense on T1 sequence, and the same lesions were demonstrated poorly or not at all on T2 and proton density sequences. In eight other patients the bone marrow metastases presented with strong signal intensity on T2 and were poorly or not at all demonstrated on T1 and proton density sequences. In three patients with multiple myeloma, the signal intensity pattern of the vertebrae was diffusely heterogeneous, with alternating small foci of strong and weak signals (a mosaic-like pattern). Following the MR studies, needle biopsy confirmed the malignancy in the 21 patients who had shown abnormalities. No correlation between the type of primary tumor and the signal intensity of the vertebral metastases was shown. Possibly the mosaic pattern shown in three of the multiple myeloma patients represents a special case.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the lower vertebral column in patients with multiple myeloma

Eighteen patients with multiple myeloma (clinical stages 1-3) and a control group of 21 persons underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the lower thoracic and lumbar spine. This was done to determine the potential benefit of MRI in addition to conventional radiographs, tomograms, computed tomography and nuclear scans. In addition to focal fatty replacement of normal hematopoietic marrow, which presented as focal hyperintense lesions on T1-weighted images (T1-WI) and on T2-weighted images (T2-WI), two types of myelomatous lesions were found: (1) focal areas with reduced signal intensity when compared with normal bone marrow on T1-WI and enhanced signal intensity on T2-WI, mainly found in untreated myelomas; and (2) focal areas of decreased signal intensity on T1-WI and on T2-WI, which were predominantly detected after previous radiation therapy. MRI surpassed conventional radiography in detecting abnormal focal marrow infiltration in 41 of 247 vertebrae. Radiographs identified only 11 of the 41 as pathologic, based on shape and structure of the vertebral bodies; however, 15 other collapsed vertebrae showed no signal abnormalities of the marrow on MR images. Discrimination of normals and abnormals by statistical analysis of intensity measurements of the bone marrow was not possible.     

长骨原发性恶性淋巴瘤的影像学表现

目的探讨长骨原发性恶性淋巴瘤的影像学特点。资料与方法回顾性分析17例经临床和病理确诊的长骨原发性恶性淋巴瘤病例的X线平片、CT及MRI表现。结果男11例,女6例,平均年龄36.6岁。单发14例,多发3例。股骨受侵9例,胫骨受侵4例,肱骨、腓骨受侵各2例,桡骨受侵1例。病变位于干骺端13例次,骨干8例次。X线及CT表现为浸润型8例,溶骨型4例(其中1例股骨干为浸润型,股骨粗隆及远端为溶骨型),硬化型1例,混合型4例,囊样型1例。8例见明显骨膜反应,7例合并病理骨折,11例有明显软组织肿块。MRI检查2例均以长T1、长T2信号为主,伴有少量混杂信号。结论长骨原发性恶性淋巴瘤常侵犯单骨,干骺端及骨干为好发部位,多表现为虫蚀样浸润型和溶骨型骨质破坏,多伴有软组织肿块及骨膜反应,病变周边可伴有骨质硬化。