Soft tissue xeroradiography.

Xeroradiography of soft tissue lesions, both malignant and benign, has been performed on 121 patients, 79 of whom having also undergone conventional film radiography. In 72 cases (59%), the diagnosis was proved by surgery and histological examination. Xeroradiography was found to be more effective in representing soft tissues than film radiography in 63 cases (80%) and equally effective in 16 cases (20%). Film radiography has never given a better representation of soft structures. The main xeroradiographic aspects of soft tissue lesions are reviewed. A diagnosis of the nature of the lesions on the basis of the extraosseous xeroradiographic picture is deemed possible only for lipomas. In the remaining cases, xeroradiography may offer useful information as regards size, shape and anatomic relationships of lesions but does not allow univocal diagnosis of their nature. Advantages and drawbacks of this technique are discussed, with emphasis on radiation dosage. It is assumed that xeroradiography may prove to be a helpful second-line examination in patients with soft tissue masses or swelling. It may also offer a simple method for follow-up in tumors of soft tissues having undergone conservative treatment.