Experiences with magnetic resonance imaging of soft tissue tumors

During a recently completed two-year study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used for the preoperative assessment and/or follow-ups in 32 patients with soft tissue masses. The age distribution of the patients (19 males, 13 females) was 6-81 years, with a mean age of 48 years. T1 and/or T2 weighted sequences were applied in 20 benign soft tissue tumors, in 8 malignant soft tissue tumors, in 2 soft tissue lesions after a severe craniofacial injury, and in 2 other lesions. During the early phase of this study, the results of 10 cutaneous and musculoskeletal and one intracranial MRI studies were paired with computed tomographic studies. It has been found that MR images display the size and extent of soft tissue tumors, and that the use of axial, coronal, and sagittal images enable a clear display of the relationship of soft tissue tumors to the major blood vessels, muscles, and cortical bone. Eight representative cases are presented, in addition to a discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of MRI, as well as indication for and limitations of its use. (author)