Primary Sacrum Tumors in Adults: Diagnostic Problems

One hundred fifty patients, age 16-77, were examined. Forty five out of them had malignant tumors or metastatic lesions of sacrum; 105 patients had benign tumors, tumor-like diseases and inflammatory processes (3). All patients were operated on. Diagnosis was verified morphologically. Analysis of clinical-radiological symptomatology and of the results of special radiation diagnostic methods (CT, MRT) were performed. Clinical manifestations of sacrum tumors have no specific features, careful examination of a patient and anamnesis study give the possibility to detect the process pattern, but not the nosologic form. In 75,8% of patients radiologic and especially CT and MRT data allowed to determine nosologic form preoperatively. Authors emphasized that CT and MRT was the method of choice for examination of patients with sacrum tumors. The attention was directed to the necessity of the increase oncologic alertness among neurologists and orthopaedic surgeons. If sacrum tumor is suspected the patient must be referred to special medical institute which are equipped with modern radiation diagnosis systems.