Soft tissue sarcomas or intramuscular haematomas?

Eur J Radiol. 2009 Oct;72(1):44-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2009.05.026. Epub 2009 Jun 10.

Abstract

Haematomas are common and sarcomas are rare. However the absence of trauma or a light trauma should alert the clinician to the possibility that the abnormality may represent haemorrhage into a tumor and not just haematoma, even in a haemophilic patient. Clinical findings, sonography with Doppler assessment and magnetic resonance images with contrast administration will help in the differential diagnosis. The diagnosis of a high grade sarcoma must be considered in these patients and any doubt should be resolved with a biopsy to avoid tragic consequences of missed sarcoma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods*
  • Hematoma / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Muscular Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / diagnosis*