Diagnostic value of ex-vivo three-dimensional micro-computed tomography imaging of primary nonhematopoietic human bone tumors: osteosarcoma versus chondrosarcoma.
BACKGROUND
Osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma are the most common nonhematopoietic primary malignancies of bone. However, unusual radiographic appearances can lead to delay in diagnosis and confusion with benign diseases.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of micro-computed tomography (CT) for the analysis of primary, nonhematopoietic human bone tumors ex vivo.


METHODS
Samples from 12 human bone specimens (osteosarcoma, n=6; chondrosarcoma, n=6) obtained for diagnostic purposes were scanned using industrial X-ray film without amplifier foil and scanned with micro-CT (7- and 12-microm-cubic voxels). Trabecular bone CT "density" and tumor matrix CT "density" were determined, and results were compared with those obtained from a detailed conventional histopathologic analysis of corresponding cross-sections. The significance of differences in grayscale measurements was tested with analysis of variance.


RESULTS
Micro-CT provided quantitative information on bone morphology equivalent to histopathological analysis. We established grayscale measurements by which tumor matrices of chondrosarcoma and osteosarcoma could be radiographically categorized following histological classifications (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Micro-CT is feasible for the analysis and differentiation of human osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma.
Langheinrich
A C
AC
Department of Radiology, University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany. alexander.langheinrich@radiol.med.uni-giessen.de
Stolle
C
C
Kampschulte
M
M
Lommel
D
D
Rau
W S
WS
Bassaly
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002813:Chondrosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008852:Microradiography / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*