Primary spinal chondrosarcoma: radiological manifestations with histopathological correlation in eight patients and literature review.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to delineate radiological-pathological correlation in primary vertebral chondrosarcoma.

Methods: Eight histopathologically confirmed cases were analyzed for pathological and radiological characteristics.

Results: Magnetic resonance images of three conventional and one clear cell cases showed lobulated or irregular masses with line or septa enhancement. Two conventional lesions showed signal intensity of high water content on T2-weighted images, in which aneurismal bone cysts were confirmed. The myxoid lesion showed a relatively diffuse signal and enhancement. Marked masses were found in the two mesenchymal patients, either dumbbell-like or round-like.

Conclusion: Primary spinal chondrosarcomas have certain radiological findings that may correlate to the pathological subtypes.