[Pre and postoperative computerized tomographic diagnosis in tumors of the shoulder girdle]

33 CT-investigations of 23 patients with malignancies of the shoulder girdle were analyzed. In 80% of the surgically treated bone tumours of 17 patients the presence and extend of soft tissue infiltration and of osseous destruction could be delineated. The size of the 6 soft tissue tumours was better demonstrated by CT than by any other radiologic procedure. As CT is the most reliable noninvasive method to visualize the extend of a tumour of the shoulder girdle it is a valuable aid in treatment planning. Diagnostic pitfalls and results of follow-up studies are discussed.