Adamantinoma Imaging

Updated: Feb 04, 2022
  • Author: Christopher D Smelser, DO; Chief Editor: Felix S Chew, MD, MBA, MEd  more...
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Practice Essentials

Adamantinoma is a rare biphasic tumor, and its origin remains controversial. Fischer first described the tumor in 1913, [1] and since then, less than 600 cases have been reported. [2] The tumor occurs almost exclusively in the long bones; tumors in the tibia account for more than 80% of cases. The diaphyseal region is the area most commonly affected. [3, 4, 5]  Adamantinomas are classified into 2 distinct types: classic and differentiated. Classic adamantinomas usually occur in patients older than 20 years, whereas differentiated adamantinomas occur almost exclusively in patients younger than 20 years. In addition, the 2 classifications of adamantinomas have distinct radiographic and histologic differences. Adamantinomas have 4 distinct growth patterns: basaloid, tubular, spindle cell, and squamous. [6]  

In about 15-30% of cases, adamantinomas metastasize, often to the lungs or lymph nodes and less frequently to bone and abdominal viscera. Recurrence has been noted to be as high as 30-35%, and mortality 6-18%. According to a National Institute of Cancer Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Recent Results (SEER) study, 5-year survival is 85-95% and 10-year survival is approximately 85%. [7, 8]

(See the images below.)

Plain radiograph in a patient with adamantinoma re Plain radiograph in a patient with adamantinoma reveals bony sclerosis, which is typical of a well-established adamantinoma. Courtesy of UCSD Medical Library.
CT scan in a patient with adamantinoma reveals an CT scan in a patient with adamantinoma reveals an expansile lesion and superficial erosion on the surface. Courtesy of UCSD Medical Library.

Patients with adamantinomas present with variable signs and symptoms; most commonly, they report pain and swelling. The tumor is slow growing, and patients may describe discomfort lasting months to years. Although ascertaining accurate mortality statistics is difficult because of the extremely rare nature of this tumor, a retrospective review of 46 confimed cases of adamantinoma reported a 10-year survival of 92% after surgery and a recurrence-free survival rate of 72%. [9]

Treatment options for adamantinoma are surgical and include either marginal or en bloc resection. Unfortunately, neither radiation therapy nor chemotherapy has been proven effective in the treatment of this insidious tumor. [10, 3, 11, 4]

Imaging modalities

Plain radiography, computed tomography (CT) scanning, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may all be used to help assess suspected adamantinomous tumors. [12] However, CT and MRI are not specific in the differentiation of this tumor from other conditions; findings often overlap with those of other tumors and tumor-like lesions. A variety of tumors and tumor-like lesions can mimic an adamantinoma. Histologic examination is key to the identification of an adamantinoma; the histologic features of these tumors have many variations. [13, 14]

On  radiographs, the tumor appears well-circumscribed, cortical, multilobulated, and osteolytic. Intralesional opacities, septation, and peripheral sclerosis may also be seen. CT scanning plays a role in the routine workup of adamantinomas and can locate pulmonary metastases. MRI is beneficial for locoregional staging because it can identify distant cortical foci and intramedullary and soft tissue extensions. MRI also helps determine tumor-free margins. [15, 7]

Limitations of plain-film radiography include the relatively long list of differential diagnoses for adamantinoma. Many pathologic conditions that are as rare as or more common than adamantinoma demonstrate similar characteristics on plain radiographs, as well as CT scans and MRIs. This fact, coupled with the limited experience that most radiologists (and physicians in general) have in dealing with this tumor, makes the diagnosis and treatment of adamantinomas challenging.

The use of nuclear medicine to study adamantinomas is a relatively new undertaking; therefore, few data regarding the tumors have been collected. However, the following findings are believed to correspond to adamantinomous lesions: increased blood flow in the region of the tumor, increased blood pooling, and increased accumulation of technetium-99m methylene diphosphate in the area of the tumor. [16]

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Radiography

In its early stages, an adamantinoma appears as an elongated, linear lucency on plain radiographs, and no periosteal reaction is noted in the surrounding bone. In later stages, cortical sclerosis becomes apparent on plain radiographs. The most common location is in the diaphyseal region of long bones, especially the tibia. A periosteal reaction and fracture are less common late-term sequelae of adamantinomas that can also be depicted on plain radiographs.

The differentiation of adamantinoma from fibrous dysplasia and osteofibrous dysplasia may be difficult by using plain radiographs alone. When questions arise regarding diagnosis of the tumor, the histologic and clinical features must be included to narrow the differential diagnosis. False-positive findings include fibrous dysplasia, osteofibrous dysplasia, fibroma (nonossifying or ossifying), bone cyst (aneurysmal or simple), chondrosarcoma, chondromyxoid fibroma, eosinophilic granuloma, and hemangioendothelioma.

(See the image below.)

Plain radiograph in a patient with adamantinoma re Plain radiograph in a patient with adamantinoma reveals bony sclerosis, which is typical of a well-established adamantinoma. Courtesy of UCSD Medical Library.

 

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Computed Tomography

CT scans are often used to study adamantinomas, but the findings are not specific. CT scans of the lower extremity often reveal a hypoattenuating sclerotic region in the tibial diaphysis (see the image below). False-positive findings include fibrous dysplasia, osteofibrous dysplasia, fibroma, bone cyst, and chondromyxoid fibroma.

CT scan in a patient with adamantinoma reveals an CT scan in a patient with adamantinoma reveals an expansile lesion and superficial erosion on the surface. Courtesy of UCSD Medical Library.

 

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI is often used to image adamantinomas, but the findings are nonspecific. When MRI is used to study adamantinomas, the tumors demonstrate low signal intensity on T1-weighted spin-echo images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Because these appearances are also typical of most tumors, these findings are nonspecific.

False-positive findings include fibrous dysplasia, osteofibrous dysplasia, fibroma, bone cyst, and chondrosarcoma.

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