[Morphology and diagnosis of bone tumors of the foot]

We report on 554 bone tumors and tumor-like lesions of the foot, which have been diagnosed within the period from 1945-1985 in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, in the Surgical and Orthopedic Departments and in the Division of Pathology of Bone Tumors of the University of Freiburg. Schajowicz' WHO classification criteria for bone tumors were used. Morphological aspects, clinical symptoms and pattern of distribution differ widely from lesions of other skeletal regions. Bone tumors of the foot are much more frequently associated with pain caused by the special anatomy of the foot. Malignant lesions are very rare in the foot. We found only 42 malignant tumors corresponding to 1.4% of all malignant bone tumors. By contrast 13% of all benign bone tumors are localized in the foot. However, 90% of them are osteochondromas and chondromas. Other benign lesions are rare, especially tumors arising from connective tissue of bone. In several cases correct diagnosis was only possible by histologic examination whereas modern digital imaging did not substantially add to conventional plain film and tomographic examination. Preoperative CT scans were very useful for exact planning of surgical procedures especially in benign tumors.