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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2022; 26(06): 730-743
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1760218
Review Article

Presurgical Perspective and Posttreatment Evaluation of Soft Tissue Tumors of the Ankle and Foot in Adults

Iris-Melanie Noebauer-Huhmann
1   Division of Neuroradiology and Musculoskeletal Radiology, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
,
Thomas Grieser
2   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
,
Joannis Panotopoulos
3   Department of Orthopedics and Trauma-Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
,
Karin Dieckmann
4   Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
,
Radhesh K. Lalam
5   Department of Radiology, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt, Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, United Kingdom
,
Johan L. Bloem
6   Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
,
Marc-André Weber
7   Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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Abstract

This article discusses soft tissue tumors of the ankle and foot region in adults, including tumors of the joints, and also briefly addresses tumor-simulating lesions. We offer general recommendations and describe specific aspects of common entities in that region, such as typical imaging appearance, therapeutic strategies, and posttherapeutic considerations. Focal masses and diffuse swelling are common in the foot and ankle region; most of them are non-neoplastic. Some of the tumors, such as plantar fibromatosis, tenosynovial giant cell tumor, synovial chondromatosis, or schwannoma, have a very typical appearance on magnetic resonance imaging. Sarcomas are rare among true soft tissue tumors; however, they can be small and well demarcated, may grow slowly, and are often misinterpreted as benign. This is especially true for synovial sarcoma, one of the most common sarcomas in this region. Densely packed tissues in the foot and ankle may hamper determining the tissue of origin. Adherence to diagnostic guidelines and cooperation with tumor centers is crucial including for posttherapeutic surveillance. We also describe typical posttherapeutic changes and complications after surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, as well as parameters for the detection and exclusion of recurrence of soft tissue tumors of the ankle and foot.

Keywords

sarcoma - foot - ankle - patient management - aftercare


Publication History

Article published online:
15 February 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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