Intramural aortic dissection

We present 10 cases of intramural aortic dissection. The cases are all characterized by the presence of intramural haematoma without the presence of a patent false lumen. The radiological features and possible aetiologies are discussed. The key radiological finding is the presence of a hyperdense rim in the aortic wall on a non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan. In one case, a delayed diagnosis was made using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In a further case, the delayed development of a large aortic ulcer was demonstrated. Intramural aortic dissection has only recently been described in the radiological literature. The aetiology of this condition remains controversial. The imaging findings may be subtle and the diagnosis is still frequently being overlooked. We believe CT to be the primary diagnostic test for this condition, and its advantages over MRI and transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) are discussed.     

TUMORS INVADING PARAPHARYNGEAL SPACE : REFINED IMAGING DIAGNOSIS

ＴＵＭＯＲＳＩＮＶＡＤＩＮＧＰＡＲＡＰＨＡＲＹＮＧＥＡＬＳＰＡＣＥ：ＲＥＦＩＮＥＤＩＭＡＧＩＮＧＤＩＡＧＮＯＳＩＳＺｈｕａｎｇＱｉｘｉｎ庄奇新ＣｈｅｎｇＹｉｎｇｓｈｅｎｇ程英升ＹａｎｇＳｈｉｘｕｎ杨世埙Ｓｈａｎｇｋｅｚｈｏｎｇ尚克中ＹａｎＸｉｎｈｕａ...     

MRI or CT in the preoperative diagnosis of bone tumours.

The value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of bone tumours was investigated in a prospective study of 25 patients. MRI is superior to CT because it permits multidirectional exposures. Moreover, the tumour can be readily distinguished from the neurovascular structures without injection of contrast medium. MRI gives better contrast than CT, making it possible to study the relationship to the soft tissues, bone marrow and joints more accurately. On the other hand, CT gives a better picture of the destruction of cortical bone. With neither MRI nor CT can the exact tumour length be measured. Neither MRI nor CT permits an exact, reliable diagnosis. Owing to the relatively slow exposure technique in combination with respiratory movements, depiction of the thoracic wall is less satisfactory with MRI than with CT. If both techniques are available, MRI is preferred. In view of the fact that MRI apparatus is still less widely available, it should be borne in mind that CT also allows an adequate investigation of skeletal lesions.     

SPECT骨显像联合CT和MRI在恶性肿瘤骨转移诊断中的临床价值

目的探讨单光子发射计算机断层成像术(SPECT)骨显像联合CT和MRI在恶性肿瘤骨转移诊断中的应用价值。方法选取2016年3月至2019年3月间北京市房山区第一医院收治的80例恶性肿瘤并发骨转移患者,均采用SPECT骨显像、CT和MRI检查,分析原发肿瘤骨转移灶区域分布及三种检测方式诊断骨转移瘤的效能。结果无明显骨痛症状者46例,有明显骨痛症状者34例。骨转移瘤发生部位依次为脊柱、肋骨、骨盆、胸部、四肢和颅骨。脊柱转移瘤中,好发部位依次为胸椎、腰椎、骶椎和颈椎。SPECT与CT相同扫描野内诊断出464处病灶,SPECT检出429处(92.5%),CT检出率361处(77.8%),两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),在相同扫描野之外SPECT另检出143处病灶。SPECT与MRI相同扫描野内诊断出321处病灶,SPECT检出307处(95.6%),MRI检出265处(82.6%),两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),在相同扫描野之外SPECT另检出286处病灶。CT与MRI相同扫描野内诊断出259处病灶,CT检出185处(71.4%),MRI检出248处(95.8%),两者比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。SPECT骨显像联合CT和MRI检查的灵敏度、特异性和准确度均高于单独使用SPECT骨显像、CT或MRI,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。结论SPECT可作为可疑骨转移瘤的首选筛查手段,联合CT和MRI能明确恶性肿瘤骨转移的区域分布情况,提高诊断的灵敏度、特异性及准确度,有较高的临床价值。     

Lymph node positive head and neck carcinoma after curative radiochemotherapy: A long lasting debate on elective post-therapeutic neck dissections comes to a conclusion

There has been a long lasting debate, whether planned neck dissections after curative radio(chemo)therapy for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas offer some benefit in tumor control or survival. We did a thorough literature research on that topic. The results of several recently published studies are described, summarized, and reviewed. Patients with residual disease in clinical or radiographic examinations (CT or MRI scans) up to 3 months after completion of radiochemotherapy profit from neck dissections. In patients with an initial or delayed clinical complete remission after completion of radiochemotherapy, a neck dissection can be safely omitted. In conclusion, there is no longer evidence for a benefit of prophylactic post-radiochemotherapy neck dissections, but strong evidence for a therapeutic post-radiochemotherapy neck dissection in this group of patients.     

Helical computed tomography in the assessment of abdominal aortic pathology

A pilot study was undertaken to evaluate the role of helical computed tomography in the assessment of abdominal aortic pathology. A total of 17 patients underwent intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (IADSA) and helical computed tomography, with eight patients undergoing subsequent operative intervention. A comparison of radiological findings between IADSA and helical computed tomography (CT) was made and, where applicable, a comparison was made with operative findings. Pathology included abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) (n=12), thoracoabdominal aneurysm (n=2) and dissection (n=1), graft distension following AAA repair (n=1) and plaque haemorrhage in the distal aorta following percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of the iliac artery (n=1). Planned operative management as based on pre-operative helical CT imaging findings, in particular with reference to the type of graft used (straight or bifurcated) was not changed at operation. Our findings on helical CT in regards to AAA, thoroco-abdominal aneurysm and dissection correlated well with angiography and surgery findings.     

子宫颈癌术前磁共振成像诊断与术后病理分期对比分析

 目的　探讨磁共振成像（MRI）术前分期的准确性与病理分期的准确性,以及对子宫颈癌治疗方式的指导价值。方法　回顾性分析50例子宫颈癌患者（鳞癌47例,腺癌2例,鳞腺癌1例）的临床及MRI资料。所有患者行平扫及增强扫描,23例行三期动态增强扫描。38例经手术治疗的患者,对术前MRI分期与术式的选择及术后病理分期进行对照分析。结果　33例MRI分期为Ⅰ～ⅡA期子宫颈癌分期准确率约为82.35 %,患者行子宫全切术及盆腔淋巴结清扫术。ⅢA～ⅣB期的诊断准确率约100 %。MRI对子宫颈癌分期总的准确率约为84.21 %。结论　MRI能多方位显示子宫颈癌病灶及其侵犯范围,术前分期具有较高的准确性,有利于术前评估、手术方式的制定及治疗方案的选择。     

Cushing's disease: Pituitary imaging

Fourteen patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-dependent hypercortisolism underwent pituitary scanning with computed axial tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Computed tomography revealed pituitary macroadenomas in two patients, pituitary hyperplasia in one and a suspicion of pituitary microadenoma in one. Thirteen patients underwent MRI. One with a macroadenoma diagnosed on CT did not undergo MRI. The MRI revealed a pituitary macroadenoma in one, microadenoma in three and hyperplasia in two cases. Magnetic resonance imaging following gadolinium diethylene triamine penta acetic acid (gd-DTPA) enhancement revealed four more pituitary microadenomas. All patients who had pituitary adenomas (micro and macro) and hyperplasia underwent trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery. One of the two patients, who had an enlarged pituitary on imaging but no demonstrable adenoma, was found to have a microadenoma at surgery. Patients with ACTH-dependent hypercortisolism should undergo MRI of the pituitary gland to identify/localize corticotroph pituitary adenomas. The study should include gd-DTPA enhancement in cases where the scan is normal.     

肾上腺神经鞘瘤的诊断及临床特点并文献复习（附8例报告）

背景与目的：肾上腺神经鞘瘤非常少见,多为良性,缺乏特异性的临床及影像学表现。该研究通过对肾上腺神经鞘瘤的CT和MRI表现与病理对照分析,提高对肾上腺神经鞘瘤的诊断水平。方法：回顾性分析经病理证实的8例肾上腺神经鞘瘤患者的CT和MRI影像特征,其中4例患者仅行CT扫描,3例患者仅行MR扫描,1例患者行CT和MR扫描。并将影像学诊断结果与病理诊断结果进行对比分析。结果：5例肿瘤位于左侧肾上腺,3例位于右侧肾上腺;所有患者均未出现内分泌症状。所有8例肿瘤表现为边界清楚的类圆形、分叶状肿块,2例肿瘤见钙化,5例肿瘤伴囊变,2例肿瘤伴出血;7例肿瘤CT或MRI的强化表现为中度不均匀、延迟强化,并可见强化的包膜,4例肿瘤增强可见兔尾征。结论：肾上腺神经鞘瘤的影像及病理有一定的特征性,完整包膜、囊变、兔尾征、钙化及渐进强化等影像征象有助于提高肾上腺神经鞘瘤的诊断准确率。     

56例隐匿性乳腺癌临床病理特征分析及诊疗策略探讨

背景与目的：隐匿性乳腺癌发病隐匿,诊断困难,治疗策略不确定,是乳腺癌领域的难点和热点。本研究探讨了隐匿性乳腺癌的临床病理特征及诊疗策略。方法：对56例隐匿性乳腺癌患者在术前采用乳腺彩超、钼靶、磁共振及PET/CT检查,对比不同检查方法对隐匿性乳腺癌可疑原发灶检出率及病理符合率的差异。治疗方案采用新辅助化疗、乳腺癌改良根治术、保乳+腋窝淋巴结清扫术、腋窝淋巴结清扫术,术后行化疗+放疗。结果：乳腺超声、X线、MRI、PET/CT对乳腺可疑原发灶的检出率分别为7.14%（4/56）、29.41%（15/51）、37.50%（18/48）和16.28%（7/43）;结合术后病理学检查发现其病理符合率分别为66.67%（2/3）、50.00%（7/14）、50.00%（9/18）和50.00%（3/6）;26例患者乳腺超声、X线及MRI均未发现可疑原发灶,其中21例接受病理学检查,阳性率为14.29%（3/21）;对39例乳腺癌改良根治术标本行乳腺病理切片检查,检出原发灶15例,检出率38.46%。根据St. Gallen指南分子分型标准,Luminal A型、Luminal B型、HER-2阳性型和三阴性型比例分别为7.14%、46.43%、12.50%和33.93%。术后随访52例,随访时间10~104个月,中位时间35个月,复发转移4例,死亡0例。检出原发灶的15例患者中,复发或转移2例;未检出原发灶的24例患者中,无复发或转移;行新辅助化疗17例,达病理学完全缓解（pathological complete response,PCR）2例,复发或转移2例;行乳腺癌改良根治术39例,复发或转移2例;行保乳+腋窝清扫8例,复发或转移2例;腋窝清扫9例,无复发或转移。结论：乳腺MRI检查在隐匿性乳腺癌的排除性诊断中有重要价值;乳腺超声、X线及MRI均未发现可疑原发灶的患者其乳腺病理原发灶检出率较低;隐匿性乳腺癌的治疗策略可选择新辅助化疗、乳腺癌改良根治术、保乳+腋窝清扫术、腋窝清扫术;乳腺病理学未检出原发灶的患者复发转移率低于检出原发灶者。     

Comparative analysis of imaging modalities in the preoperative assessment of nodal metastasis in esophageal cancer

Preoperative radiological findings of nodal status in 74 patients, using endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were compared to histopathology reports following transthoracic total esophagectomy with radical lymphadenectomy (TTE), involving complete dissection of the mediastinal and abdominal nodes and lower cervical lymph nodes. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of each radiological investigation were calculated for each anatomic group of nodes. Statistical analysis revealed that EUS is more accurate and significantly more sensitive (P < 0.01) for lymph nodes along the right recurrent laryngeal nerve and those in the upper and mid-periesophageal, infracarinal locations. Paratracheal and lower paraesophageal nodes are assessed better using CT whereas MRI is better for mid-paraesophageal and infra-aortic nodes. US is most accurate and sensitive for evaluation of cervical and abdominal nodes (P < 0.01). © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Can post-RT neck dissection be omitted for patients with head-and-neck cancer who have a negative PET scan after definitive radiation therapy?

PURPOSE: A prospective, single institution study was conducted to evaluate the role of positron emission tomography with fluoro-deoxyglucose (FDG) before and after definitive radiation therapy for patients with head-and-neck cancer. Correlation with CT or MRI imaging and pathologic findings at the time of planned neck dissection was made. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twelve patients with AJCC Stages III-IV cancer of the head and neck received CT or MRI and PET imaging before treatment with definitive radiation therapy. One month after completion of treatment, repeat CT or MRI and PET imaging was obtained. All images were reviewed independently by radiologists who were blind to the results of the other modality. Patients then underwent planned neck dissection. Pathologic correlation with posttreatment scans allowed calculation of the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and the positive predictive value for both CT/MRI and PET. RESULTS: Comparison of CT/MRI to PET obtained before definitive RT revealed both primary tumor and nodal disease were detected by both modalities in all cases where primary tumor was known. After RT, comparison of CT/MRI imaging to findings of neck dissection revealed a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 50%. Comparison of PET imaging with pathologic findings demonstrated sensitivity of 45%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 14%. CONCLUSIONS: In this small series of patients, the presence of a positive PET 1 month after RT accurately indicated the presence of residual disease in all cases; however, a negative PET indicated absence of disease in only 14%. Further investigation is warranted before FDG-PET should be used to determine whether post-RT neck dissection should be omitted.     

18F-FDG PET/CT在探测卵巢癌术后复发和转移中的价值

[目的]评价^18F-FDG PET/CT显像在探测卵巢癌术后复发病灶中的应用价值。[方法]采用仪器为Siemens Biograph Sensation 16 PET/CT，43例卵巢癌术后患者禁食4～6h，静脉注射^18F-FDG60min后进行PET/CT检查，采集方式为3D模式。PET/CT图像结果与血清CA125、B超及CT或MRI影像学资料进行比较。并与手术病理或临床随访结果比较判断其诊断的准确性。[结果]FDG PET/CT诊断卵巢癌复发的灵敏度、特异性和准确性分别为92.3%、100%和93.0%。血清CA125水平与FDG PET结果有一定相关性，33例CA125升高患者中31例PET显像阳性，10例CA125正常水平患者中仅有5例PET显像阳性。[结论]当常规影像学检查阴性或可疑时，PET/CT显像对卵巢癌复发的检测具有较高的灵敏度和准确性，特别术后患者CA125升高的情况下，FDG PET/CT有助于探测隐匿性复发或转移病灶，指导进一步的治疗。     

透明血管型Castleman 病的CT及MRI表现

目的:探讨透明血管型Castleman 病的CT 及MRI 影像表现,旨在提高对该病的诊断水平。方法:回顾性分析4例经手术病理证实的透明血管型Castleman 病的CT 及MRI 资料,总结其特征。结果:左锁骨上窝1 例,纵隔1例,肠系膜1 例,肝胃间隙1例,4例临床类型均为局限型,4例病理分型均为透明血管型。 CT表现为椭圆形软组织肿块,平扫与肌肉相比呈等密度,动态增强4例肿块动脉期明显强化,静脉期及延时期均表现为持续强化。MRI 检查T1WI 病灶呈等信号,T2WI 呈高信号,增强表现与CT 近似。结论: 透明血管型Castleman 病有一定的CT和MRI影像学特征,具有较高的诊断价值,但需病理性确诊。     

Evaluation of diagnostic imagings of liver metastases

With the advent of various therapeutic modalities for the management of metastatic liver tumor, the task of pretreatment imaging has become more demanding. US and CT are non-invasive, and the most widely used techniques for pretreatment imaging, but they are far from optimal. Recently, the most sensitive pretreatment imaging modality for the depiction of focal liver lesions is CT during arterial portography (CTAP); however, it is an invasive procedure with an established risk of false-positive results. CT and MRI are the sensitivities of these techniques have recently been improved with the development of multidetector CT, contrast agents for MRI that specifically accumulate in the liver, and other advances. Superparamagnetic iron oxide (Feridex) has been developed as a liver-specific particulate MRI contrast agent that is taken up by the Kupffer cells of the liver. Rational selection of appropriate modalities for a given purpose requires familiarity with the characteristics of each modality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivities of diagnostic modalities in the pre- and post-treatment periods of metastatic liver tumor. Feridex-enhanced MRI (Ferumoxide MRI) is more sensitive than enhanced CT and MRI in the depiction of metastatic liver tumor. In terms of the ability to visualize residual tumor after MCT, dynamic MRI was superior to enhanced CT and Ferumoxide MRI. In conclusion, combined Ferumoxide MRI and dynamic MRI is a noninvasive method and clinically useful since it can change the therapeutic approach.     

Gadoxetic Acid-Based MRI for Decision-Making in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Employing Perfusion Criteria Only—A Post Hoc Analysis from the SORAMIC Trial Diagnostic Cohort

The value of gadoxetic acid in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), based on perfusion criteria, is under dispute. This post-hoc analysis of the prospective, phase II, randomized, controlled SORAMIC study compared the accuracy of gadoxetic acid-enhanced dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (arterial, portovenous, and venous phase only) versus contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) for stratifying patients with HCC to curative ablation or palliative treatment. Two reader groups (radiologists, R1 and R2) performed blind reads of CT and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI (contrast dynamics only). A truth panel, with access to clinical and imaging follow-up data, served as reference. Primary endpoint was non-inferiority (margin: 5% points) of MRI vs. CT (lower 95% confidence interval [CI] > 0.75) in a first step and superiority (complete 95% CI > 1) in a second step. The intent-to-treat population comprised 538 patients. Accuracy of treatment decisions was 73.4% and 70.8% for CT (R1 and R2, respectively) and 75.1% and 70.3% for gadoxetic acid-enhanced dynamic MRI. Non-inferiority but not superiority of gadoxetic acid-enhanced dynamic MRI versus CT was demonstrated (odds ratio 1.01; CI 0.97–1.05). Despite a theoretical disadvantage in wash-out depiction, gadoxetic acid-enhanced dynamic MRI is non-inferior to CT in accuracy of treatment decisions for curative ablation versus palliative strategies. This outcome was not subject to the use of additional MR standard sequences.     

Paranasopharyngeal Space Involvement in Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Dectection by CT and MRI

Paranasopharyngeal tumour extension (PTE) from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is staged in its own subgroup in the American Joint Committee on Cancer classification. Most large clinical trials use computed tomography (CT) to stage PTE, but diagnosis relies on indirect signs of tumour invasion such as asymmetry of the parapharyngeal fat. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the advantage of directly revealing PTE because of its ability to depict the complex anatomical structures that form the boundary of the nasopharynx. The aim of this study was to compare CT and MRI in the identification of PTE and to determine whether the imaging modality used influenced staging of the disease.The MRI and CT scans of 78 patients (156 parapharyngeal regions) with NPC were assessed for PTE. On MRI, PTE was considered to be positive when there was tumour invasion through the complex anatomical structures of the nasopharyngeal wall. When using CT, it was considered positive when there was: (1) distortion of the parapharyngeal fat plane; or (2) extension beyond a line drawn from the medial pterygoid plate to the lateral aspect of the carotid artery. CT scanning and MRI were compared.PTE was judged to be present in 28 of 78 (36%) patients by MRI and in 41 of 78 (53%) scanning by CT when using criterion 1 or 2. An analysis of the discordant findings revealed that MRI was positive in three sides of the nasopharynx in early tumour extension through the pharyngobasilar fascia but not identified with CT by using criterion 1 or 2. MRI was negative in 20 and 21 sides of the nasopharynx that were judged to be positive on CT by using criterion 1 and 2 respectively. In these patients MRI revealed that the positive CT scan was caused by a large tumour compressing but not invading the parapharyngeal fat space, a metastatic lateral retropharyngeal node, or a combination of the two.The imaging modality used for staging NPC has an impact on the staging of PTE. CT scanning suggested the presence of PTE more frequently than MRI because of its inability to distinguish the primary tumour from lateral retropharyngeal nodes, and direct tumour invasion of the parapharyngeal region from tumour compression. The imaging modality and criteria used for staging PTE should be taken into consideration when assessing the results of clinical studies.     

Diagnosis of breast cancer: MDCT versus MRI

In Japan, helical CT has been applied to breast cancers for the accurate determination of cancer extent before surgery. In recent years, multidetector CT (MDCT) has become commercially available. Compared with mammography and ultrasonography, MDCT of the breast is thought to be useful for preoperative assessment of breast-conserving surgery. In contrast, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is extremely accurate in the diagnosis of intraductal carcinoma and multicentricity of breast cancer. A real problem related to the use of CT is X-ray exposure. Therefore, it is controversial whether the use of CT for the patients with breast cancer is appropriate or not. Recent studies that compared the use of MDCT and MRI in the same patients concluded that MRI was more accurate for the detection and evaluation of the extent of intraductal carcinoma. We should consider the pitfalls and limitations of CT for assessing the breast cancer extent.     

Paranasopharyngeal space involvement in nasopharyngeal cancer: detection by CT and MRI

Paranasopharyngeal tumour extension (PTE) from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is staged in its own subgroup in the American Joint Committee on Cancer classification. Most large clinical trials use computed tomography (CT) to stage PTE, but diagnosis relies on indirect signs of tumour invasion such as asymmetry of the parapharyngeal fat. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the advantage of directly revealing PTE because of its ability to depict the complex anatomical structures that form the boundary of the nasopharynx. The aim of this study was to compare CT and MRI in the identification of PTE and to determine whether the imaging modality used influenced staging of the disease. The MRI and CT scans of 78 patients (156 parapharyngeal regions) with NPC were assessed for PTE. On MRI, PTE was considered to be positive when there was tumour invasion through the complex anatomical structures of the nasopharyngeal wall. When using CT, it was considered positive when there was: (1) distortion of the parapharyngeal fat plane; or (2) extension beyond a line drawn from the medial pterygoid plate to the lateral aspect of the carotid artery. CT scanning and MRI were compared. PTE was judged to be present in 28 of 78 (36%) patients by MRI and in 41 of 78 (53%) scanning by CT when using criterion 1 or 2. An analysis of the discordant findings revealed that MRI was positive in three sides of the nasopharynx in early tumour extension through the pharyngobasilar fascia but not identified with CT by using criterion 1 or 2. MRI was negative in 20 and 21 sides of the nasopharynx that were judged to be positive on CT by using criterion 1 and 2 respectively. In these patients MRI revealed that the positive CT scan was caused by a large tumour compressing but not invading the parapharyngeal fat space, a metastatic lateral retropharyngeal node, or a combination of the two. The imaging modality used for staging NPC has an impact on the staging of PTE. CT scanning suggested the presence of PTE more frequently than MRI because of its inability to distinguish the primary tumour from lateral retropharyngeal nodes, and direct tumour invasion of the parapharyngeal region from tumour compression. The imaging modality and criteria used for staging PTE should be taken into consideration when assessing the results of clinical studies.     

Neoplastic involvement of the sacroiliac joint: MR and CT features

The radiological findings in five patients with pelvic sort tissue neo plasms directly involving the sacroiliac joint, are described. All patients had Computed Tomography (CT) examinations, two of the patients also having Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The role of imaging in this uncommon entity is discussed as well as the importance of making this diagnosis, thereby excluding unilateral sacroiliitis. The therapeutic implications of this diagnosis relate to local neural involvement, especially the sciatic nerve, and the fact that involvement of the sacroiliac joint by tumors significantly compromises chances of a successful surgical outcome. The role of MR in this condition is not yet certain, but it may prove to be the method of choice in view of its excellent depiction of skeletal neo plasms.