Comparative Study between Contrast Enhanced MR Angiography versus Color Doppler Sonography for Preoperative Planning of Extremity Musculoskeletal Tumors in Pediatric Age Group

Abstract

In children, bone tumors contribute about 5.4 % of all pediatric malignancy. Soft tissue sarcomas are rare malignant tumors constituting about 5-l 0 % of all cancers in pediatric age group (E/-Bo/kainy, 2000).

MRI is more accurate than CT in, detection of the intra-medullary and extra-osseous extent of soft tissue and bone tumors. (Lang eta/, 1995).

Intra-arterial angiography has been used for preoperative planning. However, it is limited by its invasive nature.. Nowadays, MR angiography provides information similar to that obtained from conventional angiography in patients with primary musculoskeletal tumors (Winchester eta/, 1998).

Recently, color Doppler flow imaging offers anatomic tlow information. Thus, tumor vascularization in soft tissue and in bone tumors with substantial soft tissue extension can be depicted. It can be also used in detection of neurovascular bundle involvement ( £1-Badawi eta/, 1998).

The aim of this study is to compare the usefulness oftv!R angiography versus color Doppler sonography in the assessment of tumor ,•ascularity and neurovascular bundle involvement in 50 cases of musculoskeletal tumors for preoperative planning of tumor resection and limb -sahage surgery