Imaging of soft‐tissue tumors

Abstract

The objective of this review is to highlight the major imaging characteristics of the main soft-tissue sarcoma histotypes observed in the group "Sarcomi" of the Istituto Oncologico Veneto in the last 5 years. A literature review was performed using PubMed and textbooks. Radiological imaging can guide the diagnosis for the subset of lesions that have typical clinical and imaging features. Soft-tissue tumors are common in clinical practice and a systematic clinical and imaging approach may guide the diagnosis.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings in soft-tissue lesions: preliminary results

“…If malignancy is suspected, magnetic resonance (MR) (or computed tomography if the latter is contraindicated) should be performed with contrastenhancement. In some cases (one-fourth to one-third of all STSs), the lesion can be classified as benign or malignant on the basis of imaging findings (margin definition, perilesional edema, involvement of bone or neurovascular structures, characteristics and homogeneity of T1 and T2-weighted signal intensity on MR, contrast-enhancement patterns) [7,8].…”

Whole-tumor apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis to differentiate benign peripheral neurogenic tumors from soft tissue sarcomas

“…Those studies used mean ADC values from subjective regions of interest (ROIs), which may have caused selection bias and reduced inter‐ and intraobserver agreements. STTs are often heterogeneous (ie, contain various components), and therefore the ADC values depend on the selected ROIs. The use of a smaller tumor ROI to select solid cellular components may yield lower ADC values, reflective of the tumor cellularity.…”

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Lipomatous Soft-tissue Tumors

“…It is also possible to recognize signs that can orient towards one subtype or other type of sarcoma, although today this is still an ambitious, but difficult to reach, goal (7). However, what this method allows, and what the radiologist is required to analyze, is the display of different signs that can indicate the malignancy of lesions, such as the presence of lesions >5 cm, deep-sited lesions, with inhomogeneous signal (especially in fluid-sensitive sequences), or the presence of septa >2 mm, with contrast-enhancement, or nodules (Figures 1 and 2).…”