Role of Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Common Soft Tissue Lesions of the Limbs

Abstract

Of the soft tissue lesions of the limbs, Baker cyst and neurofibroma are more often diagnosed correctly, and definitive diagnosis of other lesions is challenging. The overall concordance rate of sonographic diagnosis is not satisfactory.

Novel sluggish speed signs on ultrasound is indicative of hemangiomas

“…However, the lack of consistent findings often makes the diagnosis of hemangiomas difficult. Although ultrasound is a useful diagnostic tool to supplement MRI (8,(13)(14)(15)(16), differentiating hemangiomas from other softtissue tumors is sometimes difficult. On the other hand, needle biopsy or excisional biopsy to definitively diagnose hemangioma is invasive and can sometimes result in unexpected bleeding.…”

“…On grayscale ultrasound, the characteristic findings of hemangiomas are ill-defined margins, a heterogeneous interior, compressibility, and calcifications. One particular characteristic, visible by power Doppler ultrasound, is hypervascularization (8,(13)(14)(15)(16). However, differentiating hemangiomas from other tumor types is difficult with MRI and ultrasound examinations.…”

Solitary noninfiltrating angiolipoma on the finger, an unusual localization.

“…Although a definitive diagnosis can only be made with histopathological examination, ultrasonography and/or MRI can be helpful [4]. MRI is more sensitive for the diagnosis of soft tissue pathologies.…”

“…MRI is more sensitive for the diagnosis of soft tissue pathologies. In a paper presenting ultrasonography findings for soft tissue lesions of the limbs, a proper presumed diagnosis for angiolipomas was reported in 8.3% of 36 angiolipoma cases [4]. Awareness of this tumor is important because of the large numbers of other growths in the differential diagnosis for acral soft tissue tumors, as listed in Table 2 [4,10].…”

“…Clinically, it usually occurs as multiple, painful, bluish, reddish or skin colored subcutaneous nodules with a predilection for the upper extremities in male patients; they are less common on the trunk [2,3]. A presumptive diagnosis may be via ultrasonography and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), [4]. Its definitive diagnosis may be made by clinical examination.…”