Computed tomography analysis of bone tumors: patterns of cortical destruction and soft tissue extension.

Computed tomography was used to identify three different ways in which primary bone tumors may transgress a bony cortex. Analysis of the pattern of cortical transgression was used in conjunction with the presence or absence of matrix mineralization to classify correctly the lesion into one of four different diagnostic categories in 84% of 72 cases. These data demonstrate that certain types of behavior characterize the lesions under discussion and that this information may be helpful in diagnosis.