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Imaging of soft tissue tumors
M J Kransdorf1, J S Jelinek, R P Moser
1Department of Radiologic Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC.
Radiologic Clinics of North America
|March 1, 1993
Summary
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the top choice for evaluating soft tissue masses after X-rays. While MR can suggest diagnoses for specific conditions, it cannot reliably differentiate between benign and malignant tumors.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Oncology
Background:
- Soft tissue masses require accurate diagnostic imaging.
- Plain film radiography is often the initial imaging step.
- Distinguishing between benign and malignant soft tissue lesions can be challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the role of MR imaging in evaluating soft tissue masses.
- To highlight specific conditions with characteristic MR appearances.
- To discuss the limitations of MR imaging in differentiating benign from malignant lesions.
Main Methods:
- Review of MR imaging characteristics of various soft tissue masses.
- Comparison of MR imaging with other modalities like CT and ultrasonography.
- Analysis of diagnostic accuracy for specific tumor types.
Main Results:
- MR imaging is preferred for soft tissue mass evaluation post-radiography.
- Unique appearances allow presumptive diagnosis for conditions like myositis ossificans, fatty tumors, hemangiomas, PVNS, and hematomas.
- MR imaging cannot reliably distinguish between benign and malignant lesions.
Conclusions:
- MR imaging is a valuable tool for presumptive diagnosis of specific soft tissue masses.
- Limitations exist in differentiating benign from malignant lesions based solely on MR appearance.
- CT and ultrasonography offer complementary roles in evaluating mineralization and vascularity.