Comparison of computed tomography and angiography in the evaluation of soft tissue tumors of the extremities.

CT and angiography were performed in 21 patients with soft tissue tumors of the extremities (18 malignant and 3 benign) and the results were compared with the surgical and histopathologic findings. The tumor size was correctly evaluated at CT in 15 of 21 cases and at angiography in 17 of 21 cases. The main reason for overestimation of longitudinal tumor extent seems to be edema surrounding the poles of high grade malignant neoplasms. CT was superior to angiography in demonstrating the intra- or extramuscular tumor location. If only factors important for the surgical planning are considered, angiography yielded such information in 8 cases while CT was of critical value in the preoperative evaluation of 14 patients. It is concluded that CT should precede angiography in the examination of soft tissue tumors of the extremities. Angiography may be superior to CT in demonstrating vascular anatomy in relation to tumors of the medial thigh. With other tumor locations, angiography should be reserved for those lesions where vascular relationships are not adequately demonstrated at CT.