Ewing's sarcoma: imaging features
B Peersman1, F M Vanhoenacker, S Heyman
1Dept. of Radiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Belgium. benjaminpeersman@hotmail.com
Summary
Ewing sarcoma (ES) primarily affects young patients, with pelvic and femur locations being most common. Imaging reveals a large soft tissue mass, often with a spiculated periosteal reaction, aiding in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Radiology
- Pediatric Oncology
Background:
- Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a rare bone cancer predominantly affecting children and young adults.
- Accurate imaging is crucial for diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning of ES.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish an imaging prototype for Ewing sarcoma (ES).
- To correlate imaging findings with clinical and pathological data in ES patients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of clinical, radiographic, CT, and MRI data from 64 histopathologically or genetically confirmed ES patients.
- Evaluation of tumor size, local extension, signal intensity, enhancement patterns, and presence of metastases on various imaging modalities.
Main Results:
- ES predominantly affects young males (mean age 17.9), with common locations in the pelvis and femur.
- Radiographs/CT show spiculated periosteal reaction (50%) and cortical destruction (42%). MRI reveals a large soft tissue mass (67%) with variable enhancement.
- Skip metastases (14%) and distant metastases (22%) are present at initial diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Ewing sarcoma (ES) is characterized by specific imaging features, including a large soft tissue mass and spiculated periosteal reaction.
- Imaging findings on plain films, CT, and MRI aid in differentiating ES and assessing its extent.
- Early detection of metastases is vital, as observed in a significant proportion of patients at initial presentation.
