Digital subtraction angiography for preoperative evaluation of extremity tumors

A retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the role of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the surgical planning of musculoskeletal neoplasms. Thirteen patients with primary bone and soft-tissue tumors were examined by CT and DSA. Three patients also had conventional angiography. DSA yielded surgically useful information in 10 patients, comparable to that expected from conventional angiography. DSA was most helpful in demonstrating the presence or absence of major vessel involvement by tumor when this could not be ascertained definitely on CT. Demonstration of mass extent by CT was accurate in 11 patients. Results of this study suggest that the combination of CT and DSA is useful in the preoperative evaluation of selected extremity tumors and should diminish the need for conventional angiography.