Differential Diagnosis of Spine Tumors: My Favorite Mistake

Abstract

Imaging has a pivotal role in the detection and characterization of spine bone tumors (SBTs), especially using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and computed tomography (CT). Although MR performed with conventional pulse sequences has a robust reliability in the assessment of SBTs, some imaging features of benign lesions and malignancies overlap, making the differential diagnosis challenging. Several imaging tools are now available to perform a correct interpretation of images of SBTs including diffusion-weighted imaging, dynamic contrast-enhanced MR, Dixon sequences, and dual-energy CT. Nevertheless, strengths and weaknesses of imaging modalities should be kept in mind, and it is crucial to be aware of the pitfalls that can be encountered in daily clinical practice when dealing with these lesions. This review provides an overview on the main challenges encountered when dealing with SBTs, providing some tricks of the trade to avoid possible diagnostic traps.