The diagnostic value of MRI in soft tissue tumor

To explore the diagnostic value of MRI in tumor of soft tissue.Methods The MRI manifestations of 180 soft tissue tumors dating from October 2001 to August 2004 were retrospectively analyzed,they were all confirmed by pathology.All cases were examined with Picker 0.23 T MRI.Fast spin echo (FSE)T1 and T2-weighted sequences and short tau inversion recovery (STIR/TSHIRT) fat-suppressed sequences were commonly used.MR examinations were performed at least in two of coronal,sagittal,axial planes.Of 180 cases,there was 62 vascular tumors,34 giant cell tumor of tendon sheath,26 neural tumors,23 lipomas,18 fibrous tumors;17 malignant tumors including 7 of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH),3 of malignant lymphomas,2 of liposarcoma and one each of chondrosarcoma,myofibrosarcoma,melanoma,facial sarcoma and leiomyosarcaoma.10 cases were of tumor-like lesions,including 2 of myositis ossificans,8 of fat necrosis.GCT of tendon sheath (33/34 cases),hemagniomas(23/52 cases) were common in hands and feet.MFH often involved legs and upper arms (4/7 cases,3/7 cases).The tumors in the groin were mainly malignant (4/5 cases).Results The ratio of benign to malignant tumors was 9∶1.Tumors showed isointensity or hypointensity in T1WI and hyperintensity or mainly hyperintensity but mixed signal in T2WI.The diameter of benign tumors was 1～18 cm,the malignant was 4～10 cm.The tumors were lobulated,oblong or irregular in shape.12 invaded to bone,28 involved to neurovascular system.Some body parts were easily involved because of different histologic component.Conclusion The MRI for soft tissue tumors is highly sensitive.The location and some characteristical signs are useful for diagnosis,whereas the size of the lesion,the degree of border smoothness and the signal intensity are not certain for the diagnosis.8 refs,9 figs.