Diagnosis of joint invasion in patients with malignant bone tumors: value and reproducibility of direct and indirect signs on MR imaging

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the performance and reproducibility of MR imaging features in the diagnosis of joint invasion (JI) by malignant bone tumors. METHODS: MR images of patients with and without JI (n = 24 each), who underwent surgical resection at our institution, were read by three radiologists. Direct (intrasynovial tumor tissue (ITT), intraarticular destruction of cartilage/bone, invasion of capsular/ligamentous insertions) and indirect (tumor size, signal alterations of epiphyseal/transarticular bone (bone marrow replacement/edema-like), synovial contrast enhancement, joint effusion) signs of JI were assessed. Odds ratios, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and reproducibilities (Cohen’s and Fleiss’ κ) were calculated for each feature. Moreover, the diagnostic performance of combinations of direct features was assessed. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (28.7 ± 21.4 years, 26 men) were evaluated. All readers reliably assessed the presence of JI (sensitivity = 92–100 %; specificity = 88–100%, respectively). Best predictors for JI were direct visualization of ITT (OR = 186–229, p < 0.001) and destruction of intraarticular bone (69–324, p < 0.001). Direct visualization of ITT was also highly reliable in assessing JI (sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV = 92–100 %), with excellent reproducibility (κ = 0.83). Epiphyseal bone marrow replacement and synovial contrast enhancement were the most sensitive indirect signs, but lacked specificity (29–54%). By combining direct signs with high specificity, sensitivity was increased (96 %) and specificity (100 %) was maintained. CONCLUSION: JI by malignant bone tumors can reliably be assessed on preoperative MR images with high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility. Particularly direct visualization of ITT, destruction of intraarticular bone, and a combination of highly specific direct signs were valuable, while indirect signs were less predictive and specific. KEY POINTS: • Direct visualization of intrasynovial tumor was the single most sensitive and specific (92–100%) MR imaging sign of joint invasion. • Indirect signs of joint invasion, such as joint effusion or synovial enhancement, were less sensitive and specific compared to direct signs. • A combination of the most specific direct signs of joint invasion showed best results with perfect specificity and PPV (both 100%) and excellent sensitivity and NPV (both 96 %). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00330-022-08586-w.