Demystifying Sacral Masses: A Pictorial Review

• Main Authors: Julie Senne, Van Nguyen, Derek Staner, James D. Stensby, Ambarish P. Bhat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 2021-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Radiology and Imaging
• Subjects: chondrosarcoma; chordoma; giant cell tumor; metastasis; osteosarcoma; sacrum
• Online Access: http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0041-1729766

The sacrum is a triangular shaped bone made up of five fused vertebral bodies. It is composed of bone, cartilage, marrow elements as well as notochord remnants and is a common site for both benign and malignant (primary and secondary) tumors. Familiarity with the imaging features and clinical presentations of sacral bone tumors could be helpful in narrowing the differential diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are the preferred imaging modalities for evaluating sacral masses. This pictorial review will highlight imaging features of common sacral tumors with pathologic correlation. Additionally, this article will review some critical principles and helpful tips to successfully biopsy these lesions.