Characterization of pediatric skeletal tumors and tumor-like conditions: specific cross-sectional imaging signs.

The radiograph is indispensable for characterizing pediatric skeletal lesions. However, cross-sectional imaging with CT and MRI can provide additional information and augment or confirm an impression obtained from the initial radiographic findings. This review will highlight the role of CT and MRI in characterizing pediatric skeletal tumors and tumor-like conditions. Focus will be given to the contributions of each modality to the process of characterizing skeletal lesions, recalling that cross-sectional imaging is more commonly obtained for the purpose of determining extent of disease rather than for characterization.