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Superficial Soft-Tissue Masses of the Extremities¹

¹ From the Departments of Radiology (M.F.B.) and Pathology (M.H., S.A.), New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry, University Hospital, C-320, 150 Bergen St, Newark, NJ 07103-2426; and Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Ponchon CHA University, Bundang CHA General Hospital, Sungnam-si, Kyonggi-do, South Korea (D.H.H.). Received November 4, 2005; revision requested January 13 and received February 28, 2006; accepted March 7. All authors have no financial relationships to disclose. Address correspondence to M.F.B. (e-mail: blacksin{at}umdnj.edu).

Superficial soft-tissue masses are among the most common indications for imaging of the extremities. A broad array of benign and malignant processes may be manifested in palpable cutaneous or subcutaneous masses or nodules. Most such lesions are treated with surgical excision, but some may be conservatively managed. The lesions can be differentiated according to their location in one or more skin layers (epidermis, dermis, and subcutis), their histologic composition, and the associated anatomic abnormality or disease process. Because the imaging characteristics of many benign soft-tissue lesions overlap with those of malignant ones, knowledge of the patient’s clinical history (including any laboratory test results) and direct visual examination of the lesion often are important for differentiation. Histologic analysis may be necessary to achieve a definitive diagnosis.

© RSNA, 2006

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