Musculoskeletal neoplasms: preoperative evaluation with MR angiography

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the ability of magnetic resonance (MR) angiography to depict vascularity of musculoskeletal neoplasms.

Materials and methods: Two-dimensional (2D) time-of-flight (TOF) MR angiography was compared with conventional arteriography during staging of musculoskeletal tumors in 23 prospective examinations. Phase-contrast (PC) MR angiography was also performed in 19 cases and evaluated as a possible supplement to 2D TOF imaging.

Results: Of named vessels, 92% in proximity to tumor were noted by blinded readers. The PC technique provided supplemental data in 47% of cases, usually related to better delineation of in-plane feeder vessels and areas with pulsatile blood flow. Of the 28 branch feeder vessels, 23 were noted on both conventional arteriograms and MR angiograms in a nonblinded review, but 16 were difficult to distinguish as feeders because of lack of associated tumor blush.

Conclusion: MR angiography has promise to replace conventional arteriography for orthopedic preoperative planning.