Digital subtraction angiography in musculoskeletal tumors and other conditions.

One hundred and forty consecutive DSA examinations of various musculoskeletal diseases were analyzed with respect to the contributions and/or limits of this modern diagnostic imaging modality. Angiography remains the imaging tool of choice for many benign and malignant orthopedic conditions of bones and soft tissues, mainly when MRI is still not generally available. It remains indispensable for embolization and/or local chemotherapy. DSA has the advantage of being less invasive and it also surpasses analog arteriography in better visualization of vascular patterns hidden in hyperostosis, sclerosis, and metallic shadows. Angiographic investigations, when necessary, should therefore start with DSA.