Multidetector contrast enhanced computed tomography with acquisition of
0.625-mm thick transverse images was used to measure the extent of appendicular
osteosarcoma in 10 dogs. The measured length of tumor based on CT was compared
to the true length of tumor using histopathology. There was a statistically
significant association with good correlation between the true length of
osteosarcoma compared to the length of intramedullary/endosteal abnormalities on
CT with a mean overestimation of 1.8% (SD = 15%). There was not a statistically
significant association between the true tumor length and the length of
periosteal proliferation on CT with a mean overestimation of 9.7% (SD = 30.3%).
There was a statistically significant association, but with poor correlation,
between the true tumor length compared to the length of abnormal contrast
enhancement with a mean overestimation of 9.6% (SD = 34.8%). The extent of
intramedullary/endosteal CT abnormalities assessed from submillimeter transverse
images may be of value in assessing patient candidacy and surgical margins for
limb-sparing surgery