The Safety of Primary Surgical Excision of Small Deep Indeterminate Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Masses

Overview

Journal Br J Radiol

Publisher Oxford University Press

Specialty Radiology

Date 2020 Oct 23

PMID 33095649

Authors

Michele Calleja

Qasim Afzaal

Asif Saifuddin

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the suitability of primary excision of small indeterminate deep soft tissue masses presenting to a tertiary musculoskeletal oncology service.

Methods And Materials: Review of all patients referred to a specialist musculoskeletal oncology service over a 20-month period with a deep indeterminate soft tissue mass by non-contrast MRI criteria that was recommended for primary surgical excision due to relatively small size (<30 mm). Data collected included age, gender, site and maximal size of the lesion, and final histological diagnosis for excised lesions.

Results: 85 patients were included, mean lesion size being 12 mm (range 5-29 mm). Primary surgical resection had been undertaken in 69 cases (81.2%) by the conclusion of data collection, 36 males and 33 females with mean age of 45.6 years (range 11-80 years). Of these, 11 cases (15.9%) were non-neoplastic, 53 (76.8%) were benign, 1 (1.4%) was intermediate grade, while 4 (5.8%) were malignant including 3 synovial sarcomas. Two of these were treated with re-excision of the tumour bed showing no residual disease, with no evidence of local recurrence at a mean of 10.7 months post-excision.

Conclusion: Primary surgical excision of small deep soft tissue masses that are indeterminate by non-contrast MRI criteria is considered a safe procedure when undertaken in a specialist musculoskeletal oncology service, with only 4 of 69 cases (5.8%) being malignant.

Advances In Knowledge: Small indeterminate deep soft tissue masses can safely be treated with primary excision in the setting of a specialist musculoskeletal oncology service.

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