Abstract
Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a good imaging way to detecting the local recurrence of primary malignant bone tumors, which can image the structure of local muscles, joints, blood vessels and nerves to evaluate intramedullary infiltration and extrinsic invasion area. However, imaging has been limited by the presence of metal implants which causing substantial artifacts on MRI. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare the diagnostic value of ultrasound (US) versus MRI in local recurrence of primary bone tumors after surgery.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who were examined in our hospital after primary bone tumor surgery from June 2016 to June 2023. All confirmed relapsed cases both underwent US and MRI prior to pathological examination. The McNemar’s test was used for paired variables between US and MRI. P values <0.05 were considered significant.
Results: Local tumor recurrence confirmed by pathology in total 21 cases, including 14 cases of osteosarcoma, 5 cases of chondrosarcoma, 1 case of Ewing's sarcoma, and 1 case of sacrum tumor. There were 11 cases without local tumor recurrence, including 3 cases with pathological results and 8 cases by following-up. There was statistical difference in the detection rate of local recurrence after primary malignant bone tumor between US and MRI.
Conclusion: Compared with MRI, US shows better effect on postoperative follow-up of primary malignant bone tumors. US should be used as a routine post-operative monitoring method for patients in primary bone tumors.