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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2013; 17(02): 156-167
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1343071
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Imaging of Benign Soft Tissue Tumors

Laura W. Bancroft
1   Department of Radiology, Florida Hospital
2   University of Central Florida School of Medicine, Orlando, Florida
3   Florida State University School of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida
,
Christopher Pettis
1   Department of Radiology, Florida Hospital
2   University of Central Florida School of Medicine, Orlando, Florida
,
Christopher Wasyliw
1   Department of Radiology, Florida Hospital
2   University of Central Florida School of Medicine, Orlando, Florida
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
14 May 2013 (online)

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Abstract

The evaluation of soft tissue tumors should be approached systematically, with careful assessment of the patient's age, clinical presentation, anatomical location of the mass, and MRI characteristics. The imaging evaluation of a suspected soft tissue mass begins with conventional radiography to exclude an underlying osseous lesion and assess for any lesional calcification. MRI is particularly useful in evaluating the signal intensity, enhancement pattern, and extent of soft tissue masses that can expand beyond fascial planes and involve the neurovascular bundle, joint, or bone. Among the common benign soft tissue tumors, a fairly definitive imaging diagnosis can be made in cases of lipoma, elastofibroma dorsi, hemangiomas, myositis ossificans, giant cell tumor of tendon sheath, and peripheral nerve sheath tumors. In the remaining cases, the differential diagnosis can be narrowed by knowing the patient's demographics and any associated syndromes, in conjunction with recognizing specific MRI features. Knowledge of the World Health Organization's tumor designations and the incidence of specific tumors based on patient age and anatomical location are vital tools for the interpreting radiologist.

Keywords

MRI - benign - soft tissue - tumor
 

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