(ii) The investigation and radiological features of primary bone malignancy

Primary malignant bone tumours are rare. Imaging provides the foundation of surgical and oncological management as it offers a differential diagnosis for the nature of the lesion, defines its local extent and facilitates local-regional and distant staging. The role of radiographs, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and bone scintigraphy is reviewed. In addition, some newer techniques such as whole-body MRI and FDG-PET imaging are discussed. Finally, we describe the epidemiology, subtypes and imaging features of the most common primary malignant bone tumours including osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma and chordoma.