Thoracic Bone Tumors Every Radiologist Should Know

The thoracic cage provides the structural support that makes respiration possible, provides protection to vital organs such as the lungs, heart, liver, and spleen, and serves as an anchor point for the upper extremities. Neoplasms of the bony thorax are not an uncommon incidental finding at both radiography and cross-sectional imaging. Some tumors have a characteristic appearance and it is important that an accurate differential diagnosis be provided. Misidentification could lead to unnecessary imaging or procedures with associated cost, morbidity, and mortality. The purpose of this article is to serve as a quick review of bone tumors commonly encountered in the thorax and that every radiologist should know. Please note that there are also several non-neoplastic osseous lesions that may mimic bone tumors such as osteomyelitis and eosinophilic granuloma; however, these entities are beyond the scope of this review and would not be discussed.