Benign mural nodules within fluid collections at MRI after soft-tissue sarcoma resection

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical significance of nodules within fluid collections on MRI after surgical resection of soft-tissue sarcoma.

This retrospective study included 175 patients who underwent resection of primary soft-tissue sarcoma and whose postoperative MRI reports mentioned fluid. Images were reviewed to determine the presence of fluid collections of 1 cm or greater in diameter in the surgical bed and any nodule (measuring ≥ 0.7 cm) within the collection. Signal intensity and characteristics of each collection and rim and presence of septa or blood products were recorded. Size, signal intensity, and contrast enhancement of nodules were reviewed. Nodules were classified as benign or malignant on the basis of histologic results or clinical or MRI follow-up.

Fluid collections were present in 75 patients. Of those, 45 collections (60%) showed homogeneous fluid signal intensity and 30 (40%) were heterogeneous; septa were present in 45 (60%) and blood products in 12 (16%). Most collections showed a thin rim (59%) and rim enhancement (88%). Nodules were present along the inner wall of six (8%) collections. Four (66%) nodules enhanced and two (33%) were T1 hyperintense. At follow-up MRI, two nodules were stable in size, one decreased, and three resolved. Nodules in three patients were biopsied; all were benign. Two other patients had no recurrence at follow-up, and another died at 3 months.

A nodule within a postoperative fluid collection at MRI after soft-tissue sarcoma resection generally does not represent tumor recurrence; short-interval follow-up MRI is recommended rather than immediate biopsy.