We retrospectively reviewed the use of computed tomography scans for the
preoperative evaluation of musculoskeletal neoplasms in nineteen children.
Of twenty-five scans, there was accurate correlation with the surgical
findings in thirteen patients (fourteen scans), while overestimation or
underestimation of the extent of soft-tissue disease was evident in nine
patients (eleven scans). We concluded that computed tomography is a useful
adjunct to the more conventional means of preoperative assessment but that
overdependence on this one method of evaluation should be avoided.