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Ultrasound and CT findings of subcutaneous metastases in trunk and pelvis: a comprehensive analysis

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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to describe the ultrasound, CT findings, and clinical manifestations of pathologically confirmed metastases involving the subcutaneous fat layer of the trunk and pelvis.

Materials and methods

We included 30 patients with subcutaneous metastases in the trunk and pelvis, verified by ultrasound-guided biopsy. We comprehensively reviewed ultrasound findings of all 30 patients and contrast-enhanced CT findings of 25 patients obtained before biopsy. Medical records were reviewed, including primary malignancy type, presence of coexisting distant metastasis, and detection method leading to biopsy referral.

Results

Most subcutaneous metastases were heterogeneously hypoechoic (86.7%) with well-defined margins (80.0%), lobulated (46.7%) or round-to-oval (40.0%) shape, and vascularity (96.7%). Metastases frequently exhibited no contact (53.3%) or focal contact with deep peripheral fascia, resulting in acute contact angle formation (30.0%). Common CT manifestations included central low attenuation with peripheral rim-like enhancement (60.0%) or well-circumscribed lesion with heterogeneous enhancement (32.0%). Lung cancer (46.7%) was the prevalent primary malignancy. CT was the predominant detection method (56.7%). Coexisting subcutaneous metastases were present in 50.0% of cases, and distant metastases (less subcutaneous metastases) were observed in 90.0% of patients.

Conclusion

This study describes typical imaging findings of subcutaneous metastases involving the trunk and pelvis. CT may play a crucial role in their early detection, and our results may assist radiologists in their diagnosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul, 05368, South Korea

    Yeo Jin Kim

  2. Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

    Hyun Su Kim, Ji Hyun Lee & Young Cheol Yoon

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  1. Yeo Jin Kim
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Correspondence to Hyun Su Kim.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Approval from the institutional review board was obtained, and in keeping with the policies for a retrospective review, informed consent was not required.

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Kim, Y.J., Kim, H.S., Lee, J.H. et al. Ultrasound and CT findings of subcutaneous metastases in trunk and pelvis: a comprehensive analysis. Skeletal Radiol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-024-04704-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-024-04704-5

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