Beyond the abdominal and pelvic cavity: abdominal wall and spinal "Aunt Minnies"

Abdominal wall and spinal soft tissue findings are frequently encountered on CT or MR imaging of the abdomen and pelvis. Many of these entities have specific imaging findings, for which a definitive diagnosis can be made without the need for further work up. These abdominal wall and spinal findings may be diagnostically challenging for sub-specialized abdominal radiologists who are unfamiliar with their appearance and appropriate management. This review article describes and illustrates pathognomonic or characteristic abdominal wall and spinal pathologies, which reside outside the abdominopelvic cavity. The cases selected all have findings that allow a confident diagnosis without further imaging or intervention. The cases presented include myonecrosis, intramuscular abscess, myositis, iliopsoas bursitis, Morel-Lavallée lesion, hydrocele of canal of Nuck, Klippel Trenaunay Weber syndrome, neurofibroma with target sign, perineural cysts, filum terminale lipoma, calvarial bone flap, transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap, liposuction, and hidradenitis suppurativa, among others. Although not all-encompassing, this paper will help abdominal radiologists to accurately diagnose a variety of abdominal and pelvic extra-cavitary soft tissue pathologies by identifying key radiologic findings.