Abstract： Objective: To analyze the characteristic imaging features and distribution of tumor and tumor-like lesions of the scapula. Methods: From 2007 to 2011, 51 cases of scapular lesions confirmed by pathology were enrolled into this study. The imaging characteristics and location of the lesions were ananlyzed retrospectively. Results: The fifty-one cases of scapular lesions accounted for 2.15% of the whole body bone tumors over the same period, which including 15 types of pathological lesions, 22 cases(43.1%) were benign tumors, 6 cases were tumor-like disorders, 23 cases(45.1%) were malignant tumors. Osteochondroma was the most common benign tumor(n=17, accounting for 77.3% of scapular benign tumors), and followed by chondroma(n=2) which was the second common benign tumor. Eosinophilic granuloma(n=2) and intra-osseous ganglion cyst(n=2) were the two common tumor-like disorders. The most common malignant tumors were metastatic tumor(n=14, 60.9% of the 51 cases). Chondrosarcoma was the second common malignant tumor of the scapula(n=4, 44.4% of the primary malignant scapular tumors). Except one case of chondroblastoma in which the lesion involved the glenoid cavity, all of the other cartilaginous tumors located in the scapular body and bony processes. The type of lesion in the bony process is the same as in the scapular body. The common lesions in the central area of body were malignant tumors. The most common lesions in the glenoid area were metastasis, and the intra-osseous ganglion cyst was the characteristic benign lesion in this area. The common imaging features of malignant scapular tumors were ill defined margin, cortical destruction and soft tissue involvement. But the imaging features except calcification within chondrosarcoma are lack of specificity. The benign lesions of scapula usually showed clear boundary and marginal sclerosis. Conclusion: Scapular tumors or tumor-like lesions are relatively rare. The most common types of tumor are cartilage tumor and metastasis. The location and distribution of different types of lesions in the scapula are similar to those of long bones in some degree.
2013, Vol. 24 
