CT bone window photography in patients with cancer.

Overview

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of routinely photographing computed tomographic (CT) bone windows in patients with cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The impression section of body CT reports were reviewed in 4,683 patients with cancer (2,240 female and 2,443 male patients, aged 2 months to 97 years [mean, 55 years]). RESULTS: The presence of definite or possible bone metastasis was mentioned in 523 (11.2%) patients. No prior radiologic examination was available in 165 patients. In the 358 patients who had undergone previous radiologic examinations, findings were positive in 271 and normal or indeterminate in 87. In 252 (5.4%) patients, CT with bone windows may have been needed for diagnosis of bone metastasis: 110 had extensive nonosseous metastases, 77 had no osseous metastasis, 19 had bone findings that were not followed up radiologically, and 46 had bone lesions that were new findings. These new lesions were visible on scans photographed at soft-tissue windows in 45 (97.8%) patients. CONCLUSION: Routine photography of CT bone windows is not necessary in patients with cancer.