Editorial
Copyright ©2011 Baishideng Publishing Group Co.
World J Radiol. May 28, 2011; 3(5): 125-134
Published online May 28, 2011. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v3.i5.125
Table 2 Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging appearance of bone tumors of the maxillofacial region
IncidenceComputed tomographyMagnetic resonance imaging
Osteoma5th-6th decadeCompact: dense scleroticCompact: signal void
Cancellous: mixed densitiesCancellous: low to absent signal
Sharp, well defined lesion attached by a broad base or pedicle to the bone
Osteoid osteoma2nd-3rd decadeRadio lucent nidus (< 1.5 cm) surrounded by dense sclerosisNon specific signal intensity with patchy enhancement
Osteoblastoma2nd decadeExpansile lesion with cortical shellNon specific signal intensity
May mixed or sclerotic lesion
ChondroblastomaMore than 30 yrLytic lesion with central calcifications and peripheral thin cortical shellSignal void regions of calcification
Chondromyxoid fibroma2nd-3rd decadeWell-demarcated expansile lesion with multiple foci of calcificationSignal void regions of calcification
ChondromaLess than 50 yrSmall polypoid mass with few discrete areas of calcificationsNon specific appearance
Osteochondroma2nd-4th decadeMushroom shaped bony outgrowth with calcified cartilagenous capHypointense bony outgrowth with hyperintense cartilaginous cap
Fibrous dysplasia1st-2nd decadeGround glass appearance (56%), sclerotic (23%)Variable signal intensity depends upon amount of fibrous and sclerotic regions
Lytic with sclerotic margins (21%)
Giant cell tumor3rd-4th decadeExpansile mass that tends to destroy and remodel the adjacent boneLow signal on all sequences
Aneurysmal bone cyst2nd decadeLytic expansile lesion with multi-locular "soap bubble" (honey comb) and may fluid–fluid levelsFluid fluid level with septal enhancement
Hemangioma2nd decadeSunburst or spoke wheel pattern of radiating trabeculaeStippled appearance with intense enhancement
Meningioma4th decadeOsteoblastic or mixed sclerotic lesionLow signal on all sequences with intense enhancement
Osteosarcoma3rd decadeCommonly sclerotic lesion with calcified matrix and sunburst periosteal reaction or it may be mixed or lytic lesionSignal void of calcification and new bone formation with heterogeneous contrast enhancement
Chondrosarcoma4th-5th decadeBony destructive lesion with multiple punctate and stippled calcificationsT2WI: hyperintense areas (chondroid) and hypointense areas (calcified). Curvilinear enhancement
Ewing sarcoma1st-2nd decadeDestructive aggressive mass with mottled lucent areas and sclerosis and onion peal periosteal reactionNon specific signal intensity with inhomogeneous enhancement
Fibrosarcoma3rd-6th decadeDestructive bony lesion, frequently associated with extra osseous soft tissue massLow to intermediate signal intensity with inhomogeneous enhancement
Hemangio-endothelioma2nd decadeMultifocal lytic lesion or dense sclerotic lesionTubular signal void structures with intense enhancement
Chordoma4th decadeHypodense mass with irregular intratumoral calcifications (30%-50%) with bone destructionMixed signal intensity with inhomogeneous enhancement
Lymphoma4th-7th decadeLytic, sclerotic or mixed lesions that may be associated with soft tissue massNon specific magnetic resonance imaging appearance
Plasmacytoma4th-7th decadeWell defined bony expansile lesion with intense enhancementLow SI on T1-weighted images, high on T2-weighted images with intense enhancement
MetastasisAll agesRadiolucent lesion with cortical destruction. May sclerotic or mixed lytic and scleroticNon specific magnetic resonance imaging appearance