Computed tomography of soft-tissue lesions of the extremities, pelvic and shoulder girdles: sonographic and pathological correlations

Sixty-five patients with various soft-tissue tumours were examined by computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography. Results were correlated with pathological findings. Although an accurate histological prediction could not be made in most cases, certain patterns appeared to be characteristic of specific types of tumours. A lipoma of uniformly low density may be differentiated from the heterogeneously denser liposarcoma. Multiple irregular linear densities with calcification are characteristic of haemangioma. An echo-free mass on the sonogram with soft-tissue density on CT suggests lymphoma or certain sarcomas. Small isodense subcutaneous lipomas or intramuscular lymphomatous masses may be clearly delineated on sonogram but not seen on CT. Our study indicates that the combined use of CT and ultrasound gives a very detailed basis for planning the surgical approach to the tumour.