Magnetic resonance is one of the possible modalities of examination of bone tumors, primary or osseous secondaries. It proved the most sensitive method in affections of the bone marrow, but for economic reasons it is unlikely that it will become in the near future a basic method in their diagnosis. It provides most information in imaging of the spread of a pathological focus into the spinal canal. It will provide reliable evidence of the spread of the tumor in the epidural space and affection of spinal structures (oedema, gliosis). In the differential diagnosis of primary tumors of the vertebral bodies it does not provide any essentially new information.

        Key words: magnetic resonance imaging - spinal extradural tumors - primary bone tumors - bone metastases