Abstract
Soft-tissue lesions of the musculoskeletal system are commonly encountered in clinical practice and often manifest as palpable lesions. Moreover, the increasing use of cross-sectional imaging such as CT or MRI has resulted in the incidental detection of many soft-tissue lesions. Ultrasonography remains the primary imaging investigation for soft-tissue lesions. It has been shown to be helpful in depicting processes involving the soft-tissue lesions on cross-sectional imaging. This article describes the ultrasonographic findings of the most frequently incidentally detected benign and malignant soft-tissue lesions on cross-sectional imaging and suggests the characteristics of such diseases, focusing on the ultrasonographic features that allow accurate diagnosis. Familiarity with the clinical setting and the appearance of soft-tissue lesions on both ultrasonography and cross-sectional imaging can lead to accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of the condition.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Carra BJ, Bui-Mansfield LT, O’Brien SD, Chen DC. Sonography of musculoskeletal soft-tissue masses: techniques, pearls, and pitfalls. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2014;202(6):1281–90.
DiDomenico P, Middleton W. Sonographic evaluation of palpable superficial masses. Radiol Clin North Am. 2014;52(6):1295–305.
Pierucci A, Teixeira P, Zimmermann V, et al. Tumours and pseudotumours of the soft tissue in adults: perspectives and current role of sonography. Diagn Interv Imaging. 2013;94(3):238–54.
Widmann G, Riedl A, Schoepf D, Glodny B, Peer S, Gruber H. State-of-the-art HR-US imaging findings of the most frequent musculoskeletal soft-tissue tumors. Skeletal Radiol. 2009;38(7):637–49.
Hwang S, Adler RS. Sonographic evaluation of the musculoskeletal soft tissue masses. Ultrasound Q. 2005;21(4):259–70.
Kransdorf MJ, Murphey MD. Radiologic evaluation of soft-tissue masses: a current perspective. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2000;175(3):575–87.
van Rijswijk CS, Geirnaerdt MJ, Hogendoorn PC, et al. Soft-tissue tumors: value of static and dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced MR imaging in prediction of malignancy. Radiology. 2004;233(2):493–502.
Lin J, Jacobson JA, Fessell DP, Weadock WJ, Hayes CW. An illustrated tutorial of musculoskeletal sonography: part 4, musculoskeletal masses, sonographically guided interventions, and miscellaneous topics. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2000;175(6):1711–9.
Lee MH, Kim NR, Ryu JA. Cyst-like solid tumors of the musculoskeletal system: an analysis of ultrasound findings. Skeletal Radiol. 2010;39(10):981–6.
Machado P, Segal S, Lyshchik A, Forsberg F. A novel microvascular flow technique: initial results in thyroids. Ultrasound Q. 2016;32(1):67–74.
Lee DH, Lee JY, Han JK. Superb microvascular imaging technology for ultrasound examinations: initial experiences for hepatic tumors. Eur J Radiol. 2016;85(11):2090–5.
Zhan J, Diao XH, Jin JM, Chen L, Chen Y. Superb microvascular imaging—a new vascular detecting ultrasonographic technique for avascular breast masses: a preliminary study. Eur J Radiol. 2016;85(5):915–21.
Koyama N, Hata J, Sato T, Tomiyama Y, Hino K. Assessment of hepatic fibrosis with superb microvascular imaging in hepatitis C virus-associated chronic liver diseases. Hepatol Res. 2017;47(6):593–7.
Piscaglia F, Bolondi L, Italian Society for Ultrasound in M, Biology Study Group on Ultrasound Contrast A. The safety of Sonovue in abdominal applications: retrospective analysis of 23188 investigations. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2006;32(9):1369–75.
Nolsoe CP, Lorentzen T. International guidelines for contrast-enhanced ultrasonography: ultrasound imaging in the new millennium. Ultrasonography. 2016;35(2):89–103.
Kim SJ, Park HJ, Lee SY. Usefulness of strain elastography of the musculoskeletal system. Ultrasonography. 2016;35(2):104–9.
Drakonaki EE, Allen GM, Wilson DJ. Ultrasound elastography for musculoskeletal applications. Br J Radiol. 1019;2012(85):1435–45.
Chung HW, Cho KH. Ultrasonography of soft tissue “oops lesions”. Ultrasonography. 2015;34(3):217–25.
Loizides A, Peer S, Plaikner M, Djurdjevic T, Gruber H. Perfusion pattern of musculoskeletal masses using contrast-enhanced ultrasound: a helpful tool for characterisation? Eur Radiol. 2012;22(8):1803–11.
Inampudi P, Jacobson JA, Fessell DP, et al. Soft-tissue lipomas: accuracy of sonography in diagnosis with pathologic correlation. Radiology. 2004;233(3):763–7.
Wagner JM, Lee KS, Rosas H, Kliewer MA. Accuracy of sonographic diagnosis of superficial masses. J Ultrasound Med. 2013;32(8):1443–50.
Murphey MD, Carroll JF, Flemming DJ, Pope TL, Gannon FH, Kransdorf MJ. From the archives of the AFIP: benign musculoskeletal lipomatous lesions. Radiographics. 2004;24(5):1433–66.
Lalitha P, Reddy M, Reddy KJ. Musculoskeletal applications of elastography: a pictorial essay of our initial experience. Korean J Radiol. 2011;12(3):365–75.
Lee JC, Thomas JM, Phillips S, Fisher C, Moskovic E. Aggressive fibromatosis: MRI features with pathologic correlation. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006;186(1):247–54.
Vandevenne JE, De Schepper AM, De Beuckeleer L, et al. New concepts in understanding evolution of desmoid tumors: MR imaging of 30 lesions. Eur Radiol. 1997;7(7):1013–9.
Teo HE, Peh WC, Shek TW. Case 84: desmoid tumor of the abdominal wall. Radiology. 2005;236(1):81–4.
Nozaki T, Matsusako M, Mimura H, et al. Imaging of vascular tumors with an emphasis on ISSVA classification. Jpn J Radiol. 2013;31(12):775–85.
Olsen KI, Stacy GS, Montag A. Soft-tissue cavernous hemangioma. Radiographics. 2004;24(3):849–54.
Blacksin MF, Ha DH, Hameed M, Aisner S. Superficial soft-tissue masses of the extremities. Radiographics. 2006;26(5):1289–304.
Kollipara R, Odhav A, Rentas KE, Rivard DC, Lowe LH, Dinneen L. Vascular anomalies in pediatric patients: updated classification, imaging, and therapy. Radiol Clin North Am. 2013;51(4):659–72.
Kim HY, Kang CH, Kim JH, Lee SH, Park SY, Cho SW. Intramuscular and subcutaneous sparganosis: sonographic findings. J Clin Ultrasound. 2008;36(9):570–2.
Cho JH, Lee KB, Yong TS, et al. Subcutaneous and musculoskeletal sparganosis: imaging characteristics and pathologic correlation. Skeletal Radiol. 2000;29(7):402–8.
Huang CC, Ko SF, Huang HY, et al. Epidermal cysts in the superficial soft tissue: sonographic features with an emphasis on the pseudotestis pattern. J Ultrasound Med. 2011;30(1):11–7.
Lee HS, Joo KB, Song HT, et al. Relationship between sonographic and pathologic findings in epidermal inclusion cysts. J Clin Ultrasound. 2001;29(7):374–83.
Park HJ, Lee SY, Lee SM, Kim WT, Lee S, Ahn KS. Strain elastography features of epidermoid tumours in superficial soft tissue: differences from other benign soft-tissue tumours and malignant tumours. Br J Radiol. 1050;2015(88):20140797.
Loyer EM, DuBrow RA, David CL, Coan JD, Eftekhari F. Imaging of superficial soft-tissue infections: sonographic findings in cases of cellulitis and abscess. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1996;166(1):149–52.
Chung WJ, Chung HW, Shin MJ, et al. MRI to differentiate benign from malignant soft-tissue tumours of the extremities: a simplified systematic imaging approach using depth, size and heterogeneity of signal intensity. Br J Radiol. 1018;2012(85):e831–6.
De Schepper AM, Ramon FA, Degryse HR. Statistical analysis of MRI parameters predicting malignancy in 141 soft tissue masses. Rofo. 1992;156(6):587–91.
Galant J, Marti-Bonmati L, Soler R, et al. Grading of subcutaneous soft tissue tumors by means of their relationship with the superficial fascia on MR imaging. Skeletal Radiol. 1998;27(12):657–63.
Bodner G, Schocke MF, Rachbauer F, et al. Differentiation of malignant and benign musculoskeletal tumors: combined color and power Doppler US and spectral wave analysis. Radiology. 2002;223(2):410–6.
Murphey MD. World Health Organization classification of bone and soft tissue tumors: modifications and implications for radiologists. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2007;11(3):201–14.
Son E, Park J, Jeon H, Cho S. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) in axilla. Yonsei Med J. 2004;45(4):736–8.
Beaman FD, Kransdorf MJ, Andrews TR, Murphey MD, Arcara LK, Keeling JH. Superficial soft-tissue masses: analysis, diagnosis, and differential considerations. Radiographics. 2007;27(2):509–23.
Pretorius ES, Fishman EK. Helical CT of skeletal muscle metastases from primary carcinomas. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2000;174(2):401–4.
Rubens DJ, Fultz PJ, Gottlieb RH, Rubin SJ. Effective ultrasonographically guided intervention for diagnosis of musculoskeletal lesions. J Ultrasound Med. 1997;16(12):831–42.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
About this article
Cite this article
Park, S.B., Kang, B.S. Value of ultrasonographic evaluation for soft-tissue lesions: focus on incidentally detected lesions on CT/MRI. Jpn J Radiol 35, 485–494 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-017-0657-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-017-0657-4