Soft tissue tumours and mass-like lesions of the chest wall: a pictorial review of CT and MR findings

Br J Radiol. 2007 Jul;80(955):574-80. doi: 10.1259/bjr/16591964. Epub 2006 May 25.

Abstract

Soft tissue tumours and tumour-like lesions of the chest wall are uncommon. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to describe the imaging findings of chest wall soft tissue tumours and tumour-like lesions. We searched the radiological and pathological archive at our institution retrospectively and reviewed the literature on soft tissue tumours of the chest wall. Common chest wall soft tissue tumours and mass-like lesions include peripheral nerve tumours, lipomas, liposarcomas, haemangiomas, elastofibromas, metastases, lymphoma and abscesses. Other lesions encountered include desmoid tumours and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Many have distinctive radiological findings or occur in specific locations, allowing a specific radiological diagnosis to be suggested.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Thoracic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Thoracic Wall / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thoracic Wall / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*