Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the value of CT and bone scintigraphic findings for grading of rib chondrosarcoma.
Methods: Included in this study were six cases of histologically proven chondrosarcoma of the rib, in which bone scintigraphy and/or CT was performed. Correlation of histologic grade (I-III), tumor size on CT, CT grading (modified Brown's system), the pattern (nodular or peripheral, presence or absence of extended uptake pattern) and the intensity (Simon and Kirchner's grade, 0-4) of scintigraphic uptake were assessed.
Results: CT grade was III, except for one case of dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma. Scintigraphic grade was 3 or 4 in all the cases.
Conclusion: The patterns of CT and bone scintigraphic findings more likely reflect the size of the mass and ossification, and are not well correlated with the histological grading.