Soft tissue pseudotumours: a pictorial review with emphasis on MRI

Background: Several tumour-like conditions of the soft tissues may be encountered in clinical practice, or when patients undergo radiologic examinations. Al-though advances in cross sectional imaging (ultra-sound, MDCT and MRI) play a pivotal role in the correct evaluation of tumour-like lesions, a systematic approach is needed to achieve a definitive diagnosis or limit the differential diagnosis. Clinical history, physical examination and anatomic location are of paramount importance. Methods: In this pictorial essay we review some of the most frequent benign soft tissue conditions which may be mistaken for malignancy and thus lead to need-less referrals, unnecessary biopsies and great anxiety to the patients and their carers. Level of evidence: IV.