[Integrated diagnostic imaging in the study of tumors of the periskeletal soft tissues]

Integrated diagnostic imaging is nowadays an extremely valuable tool in the study of periskeletal soft tissue tumors, relative to their diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. In the past, difficulties arose from the complex embryogenetic factors causing the tumors, from the different growth patterns and courses of the lesions themselves, and finally from poor development of technology specifically designed to study the soft tissues. Today, such new imaging methods as CT and MRI exhibit special features allowing the accurate study of the soft tissues and their conditions. The basic method to investigate the relationship of soft tissues to skeleton is still conventional radiology--or xeroradiography--with the soft-ray technique. However, its limitations are well known. US, with the appropriate probes and the correct technique, with comparative and dynamic studies, yields precise information, especially relative to benign tumors. CT allows not only lesion but also tumor staging, together with the study of adjacent structures; moreover, CT angiography provides accurate information as to tumor vascularization. The role of MRI, though still debated, looks extremely promising. Finally, as for angiography, the method has been replaced by newer technologies and thus limited to preoperative vascular mapping.