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In immature long bones, radical excision of malignant tumours of the metaphysis may necessitate sacrifice of the adjacent epiphysis. To preserve the adjacent joint while allowing a safe margin of excision, we used physeal distraction before removing the tumour. From July 1984 to August 1992, we operated on 20 patients by this method. After a mean follow-up of 54 months there was no local recurrence in the epiphyseal region. Three patients had developed pulmonary metastases.

Using two-month-old pigs selective epiphysiodesis of the neurocentral cartilage was performed using cancellous screws inserted to achieve effective compression. The operation was performed on eight experimental animals, on the right side, involving four or five vertebrae at the mid thoracic level. The procedure consistently caused structural scoliosis, convex on the side of operation. The radiographic, macroscopic and microscopic findings in the experimental animals are described. In other animals so treated at ages when the neurocentral cartilage is not active rotational deformity did not occur.

We compared several image methods in the evaluation of the possible physeal effect in 47 osteosarcomas and 18 Ewing's sarcomas in children. The minimal follow-up was 3 years (range, 3-17). In the histological study, the physis was affected in 53% of the cases. We correlated the histological findings and the findings from the different image methods. There were more false-positive than false-negative results, and in the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, there were no false negatives. The accuracy of MRI (predictive positive value plus predictive negative value) was the best (90.3%), and it is the technique that we prefer. According to these findings, we can safely preserve the epiphysis in cases of metaphyseal tumors showing no contact between the tumor and the growth plate in the MRI images. If the tumor shows contact with part of the physis, it is also possible to preserve the epiphysis.

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