Soft-tissue masses: optimal imaging protocol and reporting

Soft-tissue masses derive from a wide spectrum of tissues, and it may be difficult to differentiate nonneoplastic from neoplastic as well as benign from malignant lesions, to say nothing of making a single histologic diagnosis on the basis of imaging. The purpose of this article is to discuss optimal imaging protocols and reporting of soft-tissue masses.

The radiologist should be prepared, if at all possible, to knowledgably examine the patient, optimize an imaging protocol, and differentiate among lesions. Specific features of an MRI examination must be discussed in each report to completely evaluate the mass and perform efficacious biopsy, staging, and eventual treatment of the lesion. Careful and systematic reporting of the examinations should avoid the devastating consequences of either overlooking a sarcoma or overtreating a benign lesion.