Professional Documents
Culture Documents
High-Resolution Ultrasound in The Assessment of Soft Tissue Tumors and Tumor-Like Lesions
High-Resolution Ultrasound in The Assessment of Soft Tissue Tumors and Tumor-Like Lesions
Any information contained in this pdf file is automatically generated from digital material
submitted to EPOS by third parties in the form of scientific presentations. References
to any names, marks, products, or services of third parties or hypertext links to third-
party sites or information are provided solely as a convenience to you and do not in
any way constitute or imply ECR's endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation of the
third party, information, product or service. ECR is not responsible for the content of
these pages and does not make any representations regarding the content or accuracy
of material in this file.
As per copyright regulations, any unauthorised use of the material or parts thereof as
well as commercial reproduction or multiple distribution by any traditional or electronically
based reproduction/publication method ist strictly prohibited.
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold ECR harmless from and against any and all
claims, damages, costs, and expenses, including attorneys' fees, arising from or related
to your use of these pages.
Please note: Links to movies, ppt slideshows and any other multimedia files are not
available in the pdf version of presentations.
www.myESR.org
Page 1 of 41
Learning objectives
Background
Patients are commonly referred for imaging to evaluate a soft-tissue mass in the trunk or
extremities. These lesions range from nonneoplastic conditions to benign and malignant
tumors. This study will review the current classification of soft tissue tumors and describe
multiple non-neoplastic entities that can present as soft tissue masses.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classification, established in 2002, includes more
than 80 tumors, divided into different groups as defined in table 1. Table 1 show the
abbreviated World Health Organization classification of soft-tissue tumors. In addition,
many tumor-like lesions (like inflammatory-infectious, traumatic, skin appendages or
other origin), are frequently encountered in practice.
Page 2 of 41
Fig. 1: Abbreviated WHO Classification of Soft-Tissue Tumors.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 3 of 41
TUMOR-LIKE LESIONS:
- GANGLIA: Are lined by a capsule composed of flat spindle cells and do not have a
synovial lining. More frequent in wrists and hands. The sonographic appearance is a
nodular lesion with well defined borders, usually anechoic (fig. 3).
Page 4 of 41
Fig. 3: Ganglion cyst.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 5 of 41
Fig. 4: Tenosinovitis.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
2. INFLAMMATORY-INFECTIOUS LESIONS:
Page 6 of 41
Fig. 5: Infectious tumor-like lesions.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 7 of 41
Fig. 6: Foreign body reaction.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
3. TRAUMATIC INJURIES:
Page 8 of 41
Fig. 7: Posttraumatic hematoma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 9 of 41
Fig. 8: Posttraumatic Morel-Lavallée seroma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 10 of 41
Fig. 9: Muscular hernia.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 11 of 41
Fig. 10: Epidermoid cyst.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
5. ENDOMETRIOSIS:
Abnormal growth of functioning endometrial tissue outside its usual location. In the
presence of a soft tissue mass in area gynecological or obstetric surgical scar, varying
in size (with the hormonal changes of the patient) should think a focus of endometriosis.
Ultrasonography shown as hypoechoic soft tissue lesions with irregular borders and
variable internal vascularity (fig. 11).
Page 12 of 41
Fig. 11: Endometriosis.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
6. VASCULAR LESIONS:
There are different types of vascular alterations that may present as a soft tissue tumor
in the exploration, as arterial elongation (usually in patients with hypertension), arterial
aneurysms and arterial or venous pseudoaneurysms (fig. 12).
Page 13 of 41
Fig. 12: Tumor-like vascular lesions.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
The herniations through defects in the abdominal wall may be presented as palpable
masses. It is important to assess the location and content. The most common hernias
that may present as clinically palpable masses are inguinal and periumbilical hernias.
Ultrasound is usually diagnostic. The ultrasonographic appearance depend of the hernial
content (fig. 13).
Page 14 of 41
Fig. 13: Hernia pathology.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
SOFT-TISSUE TUMORS:
1. ADIPOCYTIC TUMORS:
The fatty tumors are the most common of mesenchymal tumors group (due to the
high incidence of lipomas). Lipomas are usually located in the subcutaneous tissue.
Lipomas are homogeneously hyperechoic masses with or withour capsule (no indicator
of malignancy), without areas of nodularity or thckened sepatations. No vascularization
are generally detected on doppler assessment (fig. 14).
Page 15 of 41
Fig. 14: Lipoma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 16 of 41
Fig. 15: Neural fibrolipoma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 17 of 41
Fig. 16: Well-differentiated liposarcoma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
The radiographic appearance of malignant liposarcomas will depend on the fat, myxoid
and cellular components, and vascular necrosis that may be present (sometimes no fatty
component is detected in imaging techniques) (fig. 17).
The major challenge from the radiological point of view is the distinction between well-
differentiated liposarcomas and lipomas. Findings for a diagnosis for well-differentiated
liposarcoma are:
- Hypervascularization
Page 18 of 41
Fig. 17: Myxoid liposarcoma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 19 of 41
Fig. 18: Nodular fasciitis.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 20 of 41
Fig. 19: Myositis ossificans traumatica and calcifying panniculitis.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 21 of 41
Fig. 20: Elastofibroma dorsi.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 22 of 41
Fig. 21: Plantar fibromatosis.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 23 of 41
Fig. 22: Hemangiopericytoma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 24 of 41
Fig. 23: Fibrosarcoma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 25 of 41
Fig. 24: Giant cell tumor of tendon sheat.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 26 of 41
Fig. 25: Pleomorphic fibrous histiocytoma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 27 of 41
Fig. 26: Angioleiomyoma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 28 of 41
Fig. 27: Glomus tumor.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
7. VASCULAR TUMORS:
HEMANGIOMAS and VASCULAR MALFORMATIONS: Most frequent benign soft
tissue hamartomas. Ultrasonography usually present as ill-defined lesion, with markedly
heterogeneous echotexture, and sometimes contain internal areas pseudocystic and
phleboliths (which manifest as hyperechoic images with posterior acoustic shadowing).
They may have a cap hyperechoic (fat) in the periphery of the lesion. MRI is needed to
assess the full extent of the tumor extension (often greater than observed in ultrasound)
(fig. 28).
Page 29 of 41
Fig. 28: Hemangioma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Soft-tissue chondroma is the most frequent benign osteo-chondral tumor, and soft
tissue osteosarcoma and mesenchymal chondrosarcoma are the representation of
malignancy in this group. The ultrasonographic appearance will vary depending on its
bone matrix component, hemorrhage or necrosis (figs. 29, 30 and 31).
Page 30 of 41
Fig. 29: Osteosarcoma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 31 of 41
Fig. 30: Extraskeletal osteosarcoma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 32 of 41
Fig. 31: Mesenchimal chondrosarcoma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
- SCHWANNOMAS are benign tumors of the nerve sheath. Connection with a nerve
and the presence of tiny inner pseudocysts are patognomonic features (fig. 32). They
are usually well vascularized without exhibiting necrotic areas. In contrast, the so-called
"ancient schwannomas", presents large concentric cystic inner transformations.
Page 33 of 41
Fig. 32: Schwannoma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 34 of 41
Fig. 33: Neurofibroma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 35 of 41
Fig. 34: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Page 36 of 41
Fig. 35: Sinovial sarcoma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
11. LYMPHOMAS:
The subcutaneous tissue can be the primary settlement site of peripheral T-cell
lymphomas (Non-Hodgkin). The subcutaneous lymphoma T cells may present clinically
as a cellulitis or inflammatory changes. Ultrasound can show a significant increased
echogenicity and swelling of the fat lobes, with poor differentiation between the skin and
subcutaneous tissue (fig. 36).
Page 37 of 41
Fig. 36: Lymphoma.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
METASTASIS:
Page 38 of 41
Fig. 37: Soft-tissue metastases.
References: Radiología, Hospital San Juan de Dios del Aljarafe - Sevilla/ES
Conclusion
It is important to know the different types of tumors and tumor-like can be presented as
"masses" of soft tissue, as well as the current classification, and the main sonographic,
radiological, even clinics features. It is also important to admit the limitations of ultrasound
(eg in large masses, deep location, ...), and the limitations of radiology (the impossibility
of label or characterize the tumor in many cases), to decide the proper attitude in each
individual case (need for histological study of uncertain nature or probably malignant
lesions).
Page 39 of 41
References
- Wu JS, and Hochman MG. Soft-Tissue Tumors and Tumorlike Lesions: A Systematic
Imaging Approach. Radiology, November 1, 2009; 253(2): 297 - 316.
- Beggs I. Pictorial review: imaging of peripheral nerve tumours. Clin Radiol 1997; 52:8
-17.
- Murphey MD, Smith WS, Smith SE, Kransdorf MJ, Temple HT. Imaging of
musculoskeletal neurogenic tumors: radiologic- pathologic correlation. RadioGraphics
1999; 19:1253-1280.
- Vilanova JC, Woertler K, Narvaez JA, et al. Soft-tissue tumors update: MR imaging
features according to the WHO classification. Eur Radiol 2007;17:125-138.
- Van Vliet M ,Kliffen M , Krestin GP et al. Soft tissue sarcomas at a glance: clinical,
histological, and MR imaging features of malignant extremity soft tissue tumors. Eur
Radiol (2009) 19: 1499-1511.
- Koh SH, Choe HS, Lee IJ, Park HR, Bae SH. Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma:
ultrasound and magnetic resonance findings in two cases. Skeletal Radiol 2005
34:550-554.
- De Schepper AM (ed) (2001) Imaging of soft tissue tumors, 2nd edn. Springer-
Verlag, Berlin.
Page 40 of 41
Personal Information
Page 41 of 41