Abstract：Objective: To analyze the CT and MRI findings of the primary verbebral chondrosarcoma and correlate with pathology in order to improve the imaging diagnosis. Material and Methods: The clinical and imaging materials of 11 cases with primary chondrosarcoma in spine were analyzed retrospectively. Two radiologists evaluated the localization, erosion, tumor-morphology, calcification, enhancement and characteristics of tumor. Results: The location of tumor included cervical spine(n=1), thoracic spine(n=7), sacral vertebra(n=3). Four cases revealed osteolytic destruction and lesions were originated in vertebral body(n=4), in appendix and vertebra(n=5), in costovertebral joints(n=2). All the tumors with scallop-like soft tissue mass. There were 8 cases with mineralization in tumors. Involvement of adjacent vertebral levels was seen in 4 cases. Conclusion: The CT and MRI findings of the primary chondrosarcoma in spine are similar to the chondrosarcoma happened in other position. Calcification is better delineated by CT, which is helpful to determine the nature of the tumor. MRI is better in delineating the soft tissue neoplasm and vertebral canal encroachment, which is helpful to clinical therapy.
2010, Vol. 21 
