Primary bone tumours of the pelvis in childhood--Ewing's sarcoma of the ilium, pubis and ischium (report of 30 cases). (Part I)

Primary Pelvic Bone Tumours in Children and Adolescents — Imaging Correlation

Eight children aged 6 to 17 years (mean 13.3 years) were examined using conventional radiography, radionuclide bone scintigraphy, CT and MR imaging for pre-treatment assessment of extensive primary pelvic bone tumours. The tumours evaluated were Ewing's sarcoma (n = 4), osteogenic sarcoma (n = 3), and chondrosarcoma (n= 1). Each imaging modality made a contribution to the evaluation of the primary tumour. Conventional radiography and bone scintigraphy were necessary for the initial diagnosis, with CT playing a complementary role. MR imaging and/or dynamic contrast-enhanced CT were mandatory prior to surgical resection.

Biology and therapeutic advances for pediatric osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents. Survival for these patients was poor with the use of surgery and/or radiotherapy. The introduction of multi-agent chemotherapy dramatically improved the outcome for these patients and the majority of modern series report 3-year disease-free survival of 60%-70%. This paper describes current strategies for treating patients with osteosarcoma as well as review of the clinical features, radiologic and diagnostic work-up, and pathology. The authors review the state of the art management for patients with osteosarcoma in North America and Europe including the use of limb-salvage procedures and reconstruction as well as discuss the etiologic and biologic factors associated with tumor development. Therapy-related sequelae and future directions in the biology and therapy for these patients are also discussed.

Rare, primary iliac, pubic and ischial tumours in children (report of 14 cases)--Part II

14 cases of rare, primary iliac, pubic and ischial bone tumours or tumorous conditions are reported. These include aneurysmal bone cyst, eosinophilic granuloma, cavernous haemangioma, osteoid osteoma, fibrous dysplasia, fibrous dysplasia with sarcomatous degeneration, chondrosarcoma, lymphoma and atypical malignant histiocytosis. The possibilities to be considered in the accurate radiographic recognition of primary tumours of iliac, pelvic and ischial bones are discussed.