ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the most appropriate imaging examinations for solitary osteochondroma in primary hospitals.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective evaluation was performed to analyze the imaging examinations (including X-ray, CT, and ultrasound) of 62 patients undergoing surgeries for solitary osteochondroma in terms of the diagnostic results and preoperative expenditure of the patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>X-ray and CT have a high diagnostic value for solitary osteochondroma, but X-ray cannot display cartilage and lesions in surrounding soft tissues. Ultrasound is limited in diagnosis of solitary osteochondroma, but performed well as CT in displaying cartilage and lesions in surrounding soft tissues. There was no statistical difference between combined X-ray and ultrasound and CT in diagnosis of solitary osteochondroma (P>0.05), but the former had a lower cost (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>X-ray combined with ultrasound has almost comparable value with CT in the diagnosis of solitary osteochondroma and is more practical for application in primary hospitals.</p>