Diagnostic Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Predicting Malignancy in Musculoskeletal Tumours Taking Histopathology as Gold Standard

Objective: To determine theediagnostica accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in detection of musculoskeletal tumor taking histopathology as gold standard. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Diagnostic Radiology Department, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. The current study involved 132 patients of both genders aged between 25-60 years referred to department of diagnostic radiology with suspicion of musculoskeletal tumor. Contrast MRI was performed followed by histopathology of the surgically excised lesion. Results: The mean age of the patients was 37.3 +/- 9.8 years. The mean duration of disease was 7.3 +/- 3.3 months. There were 82 (62%) male and 50 (38%) female patients with a male to female ratio of 1.6:1. Musculoskeletal tumor was diagnosed in 65 (49%) patients on contrast MRI while histopathology confirmed musculoskeletal tumor in 60 (46%) patients. There were 60 trueppositive, 5 falseppositive, 0 falsepnegative and 67 truepnegative cases which yielded 100% sensitivity, 93 % specificity, 96% accuracy, 92% positive predictive value and 100% negativeppredictive value for contrast MRI in detecting musculoskeletal tumor. Conclusion: It can be concluded that contrast MRI was found to be 100% sensitive, 93% specific and 96% accurate in diagnosing musculoskeletal tumors which owing to its non-invasive and radiation free nature and widespread availability advocates its preferred use in future practice.