MR appearance of periosteal chondrosarcoma of the foot.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of MRI in evaluating periosteal chondrosarcoma in the foot, an anatomically complicated location. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three cases of surgically and histologically confirmed periosteal chondrosarcomas occurring in the foot (58-year-old woman, 57-year-old woman, and 63-year-old man) were retrospectively reviewed with an emphasis on MR findings. RESULTS: Magnetic resonance successfully delineated the hypovascular nature and lobulating pattern of the lesion suggesting the cartilaginous component, the periosteal location with sparing bone marrow, and the extent of involvement of adjacent structures. These findings were either not seen or less clearly seen on CT in the former two cases. CONCLUSION: In cases of periosteal chondrosarcomas in the foot MRI can play a significant role both in the characterization of the lesion and in planning surgical therapy.