[Conventional roentgen study in the diagnosis of primary and secondary chest wall tumors]

In patients with chestwall tumors conventional radiography is most often the next diagnostic step for differentiation and staging. Plain chest films, taken according to ILO-80 regulations, fluoroscopy and x-rays of the bony structures of the thorax are basic examinations. Diagnostic features are intra- and extrathoracic soft tissue masses and/or disturbances of normal fat pads. CT and/or MR are superior for analyzing soft tissue masses and cannot be missed. But bone lesions are better to analyze on conventional x-rays. Skeletal scintigraphy helps to increase the effectivity and is requested before tomography. Invasive diagnostic procedures (phlebography, arteriography, myelography, bronchography) should be performed only after CT- or MR-examinations. They can add important diagnostic details. Selective arteriography enables the radiologist to embolize vessels of large tumors preoperatively, reducing surgical risks, or may be helpful in patients with non-resectable tumors.