Which tumor is described as having a popcorn-like radiographic appearance?

• A. Chondrosarcoma
• B. Osteosarcoma
• C. Multilobular Tumor of Bone
• D. Fibrosarcoma

Answer: (C)

Popcorn-like mineralization on radiographs reflects the lobulated cartilaginous structure of a multilobular tumor of bone. This tumor consists of multiple cartilaginous lobules separated by fibrous septa, and as these lobules mineralize, discrete, rounded calcifications appear within an expansile lytic lesion, creating the characteristic popcorn pattern. It commonly involves skull bones in dogs, and this distinctive radiographic appearance helps distinguish it from other bone tumors: osteosarcoma usually shows aggressive periosteal reaction with sunburst-like new bone; chondrosarcoma can have calcifications but typically lacks the classic lobulated, popcorn-like calcifications; fibrosarcoma often has little mineralization. Thus, the popcorn-like pattern is most attributable to the multilobular tumor of bone.