Correlation between radiographic and histopathological findings of conventional osteosarcoma subtypes: osteoblastic, chondroblastic, and fibroblastic

Abstract

Background: Osteosarcoma is a connective tissue malignancy producing osteoid and some cartilaginous and fibrous matrix. It provides a challenging diagnostic approach since it is considered as a great mimicker in radiography and histopathology appearance. Triple diagnostic approach is mandatory, involving the clinical, radiologic and histopathologic aspect of all cases suspected. This study aimed to discover the correlation between radiographic and histopathological findings of fibroblastic, chondroblastic and osteoblastic subtypes of conventional osteosarcoma. Methods: This study implemented a cross-sectional study design. Components of radiographic findings of conventional osteosarcoma were bone destruction, transitional zone, periosteal reaction, matrix of calcification, skip lesion and soft tissue mass which were analyzed and correlated with its histopathological subtype. Statistical analysis was performed using the Spearman correlation test with p-value < 0.05.Results: Significant negative correlation was obtained between chondroid matrix calcification and histopathology description of conventional osteosarcoma with osteoblastic subtype (r = -0.383; p < 0.05) and negative correlation between osteoid matrix and histopathologic analysis of fibroblastic subtype (r = -0.435; p < 0.05). All of the radiographic components of the chondroblastic subtype did not show significant correlation with their histopathological findings.Conclusion: Chondroid matrix finding in radiography showed negative correlation with histopathologic evaluation of osteoblastic subtype while osteoid matrix description in radiography had negative correlation with histopathologic analysis of fibroblastic subtype.