Title:Clinico-Radiological Features of Tumor-like Lesions of the Upper Limbs: don’t worry about those lumps
VOLUME: 17 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Federico Ponti *, Elena Borlandelli, Antonio De Cinque , Andrea Sambri , Massimiliano De Paolis, Roberto Rotini and Alessandro Marinelli
Affiliation:Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via G. C. Pupilli 1 40136 Bologna, Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via G. C. Pupilli 1 40136 Bologna, Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via G. C. Pupilli 1 40136 Bologna, Orthopaedic Oncology and Trauma Surgeon, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via G. C. Pupilli 1 40136 Bologna, Department of Orthopaedics, AOSP Sant’Orsola Malpighi, Via G. Massarenti 9 40138 Bologna, Shoulder and Elbow Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via G. C. Pupilli 1 40136 Bologna, Shoulder and Elbow Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Via G. C. Pupilli 1 40136 Bologna
Keywords:Upper extremity, ganglion cysts, tumor-like lesions, differential diagnosis, bursitis, wrist joint, hand, shoulder,
magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography.
Abstract:Tumor-like lesions of the upper limb are more frequent than malignant neoplastic lesions
and they represent a wide and heterogeneous group of disorders. The combination of clinical
evaluation and imaging is the first pivotal step to attempt a distinction between benign and malignant
masses, since there are important implications for further management, such as the requirement
for conservative or interventional treatment. The classification of these pseudo tumoral lumps
remains arbitrary and is still a matter of debate, currently based on a conjunct clinico-radiologic approach.
In this article, we review various types of tumor-like lesions of the upper limb in terms of
imaging approach and related clinic features, proponing a descriptive classification, useful in clinical
practice to recognize these disorders, and to avoid unnecessary or potentially harmful procedures.
