Xeroradiography of bone and soft tissue tumors.

Xeroradiography was used for the study of 233 cases of bone and soft tissue tumors, both benign and malignant, 177 of which were histologically proven. In 150 cases, comparative x-ray films were also available. In bone tumors, xeroradiography was more effective than film radiography in 33 cases (44%), less effective in 16 cases (22%) and the 2 techniques were substantially equivalent in 25 cases (34%). In soft tissue tumors, xeroradiography was more effective than film radiography in 59 cases (78%), less effective in 2 cases (3%) and equivalent in 15 cases (19%). Xeroradiography is held to be a useful second-line technique in selected bone tumors, in particular for the study of trabecular structure, periosteal calcifications and cortical bone. In the field of soft tissue tumors, xeroradiography can be a promising first-choice examination in the presence of a mass or when a recurrence is suspected. The advantages and drawbacks of this technique in both types of tumors are reviewed and discussed.