Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of computed direct magnification radiography in diagnosing bone tumors as compared with conventional radiography. Ninety-one patients with primary bone tumors and tumor-like lesions were radiographed with conventional and magnification techniques. All radiographs were analyzed by one orthopedic surgeon and two radiologists and the findings were correlated with histopathology. Two microfocal X-ray units were used for computed direct magnification radiography with a focal spot size of 20-130 microm. Using magnification versus conventional radiography, the diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions as well as the individual tumor diagnosis was obtained with higher accuracy (85% versus 71% and 69% versus 51%, respectively, P<0.01). Margins of destruction, periosteal reactions, and matrix patterns were evaluated with higher accuracy by all observers (P<0.01). We conclude that computed direct magnification radiography may improve evaluation and diagnosis of bone tumors.