Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of soft tissue tumors based on soft tissue tumor reporting and data system

Abstract

Background MRI is the preferred noninvasive method for assessing soft tissue tumors (STT). A group of experienced musculoskeletal radiologists developed a standardized MRI called soft tissue tumor reporting and data system (ST-RADS). This system is analogous to the breast imaging reporting and data system classification used for breast tumors. Aim To evaluate STT by MRI based on ST-RADS to differentiate benign from malignant STT. Patients and methods This prospective study was carried out on 40 patients aged from 10 to 75 years old, both sexes, with STT discovered accidentally, clinically diagnosed by soft tissue swelling, and follow-up of patients diagnosed with soft tissue tumor before. All patients were subjected to radiological assessment by conventional MRI. Results Two cases of ST-RADS II, 1 case of ST-RADS III, IV, and VI, and 5 cases of ST-RADS V were among malignant lesions by histopathology which showed a significant strong positive correlation with histopathology ( P =0.001). Diagnosing STT by MRI ST-RADS had a significantly strong positive correlation with histopathology as gold standard reference ( P <0.05). There was an insignificant relation between ST-RADS categories and sex. There was a significant relation between ST-RADS and origin in fatty, tendon, and nerve origin cases. The diagnosis of STT by MRI ST-RADS had a significantly strong positive correlation with histopathology as a gold standard reference. Conclusions The ST-RADS lexicon using standardized terminology helps stratify STT into benign and malignant categories and provides an MRI-based guideline that can serve as a useful template for a radiologist for MR interpretation for future management of such patients.