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Magnetic resonance imaging appearance of soft-tissue metastases: our experience at an orthopedic oncology center

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Abstract

Objective

To assess the prevalence and magnetic resonance imaging appearance of metastasis presenting as a soft-tissue mass.

Materials and methods

A retrospective chart review was performed on 51 patients who presented to an orthopedic oncology center with soft-tissue masses, with a histology-proven diagnosis of soft-tissue metastasis, over a 14-year period. Their magnetic resonance imaging, primary origin, and follow-up have been assessed.

Results

Soft-tissue metastasis was identified in patients ranging from 18 to 85 years old. Most (80%) of the masses were located deep to the deep fascia. In our cohort of patients, melanoma was the most common primary malignancy contributing to soft-tissue metastasis (21.8%). Among soft-tissue metastasis from solid organs, breast and lung were the most frequent (9.1% each). Five patients had soft-tissue metastases from an unknown primary.

Conclusion

Imaging diagnosis of soft-tissue metastases is challenging as it can demonstrate imaging appearances similar to primary soft-tissue sarcoma. The presence of a known malignancy may not be evident in everyone, and even if available, histopathology will be necessary for diagnosis if this is the only site of recurrence/metastasis to differentiate from a primary soft-tissue sarcoma. Moreover, soft-tissue metastasis may be the initial presentation of a malignancy. Primary malignancies with soft-tissue metastasis carry a poor prognosis; hence, prompt diagnosis and management in essential.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging, Joint Department of Medical Imaging, Mount Sinai Hospital and University of Toronto, 600 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 1X5

    Jennifer Sammon, Abhishek Jain, Robert Bleakney & Rakesh Mohankumar

Authors
  1. Jennifer Sammon
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  2. Abhishek Jain
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  3. Robert Bleakney
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  4. Rakesh Mohankumar
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rakesh Mohankumar.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Funding

No funding was provided for this study.

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The requirement for written informed consent was waived by the Institutional Review Board for this retrospective review.

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Sammon, J., Jain, A., Bleakney, R. et al. Magnetic resonance imaging appearance of soft-tissue metastases: our experience at an orthopedic oncology center. Skeletal Radiol 46, 513–521 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-017-2582-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-017-2582-0

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