MR Imaging Findings in Soft Tissue Tumors and Tumor-Like Conditions of the Hand and Wrist

Soft tissue tumors and tumor-like lesions of the hand and wrist comprise a diverse spectrum of benign, malignant, and reactive or inflammatory entities. Due to the anatomic complexity and functional implications of tumor resection in this location, advanced imaging-particularly MR imaging-plays a pivotal role in lesion characterization and treatment planning. This review outlines an algorithmic approach to evaluating hand and wrist masses, beginning with compartmental localization and differentiation between cystic and solid lesions. MR imaging's superior contrast and ability to delineate lesion composition, enhancement patterns, and anatomic relationships make it crucial in narrowing differential diagnoses optimizing patient care.