ACCESSORY SOLEUS MUSCLE - A REPORT OF 4 CASES AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Cadaveric studies have demonstrated the incidence of an accessory sole us muscle ranges from 0.7% to 5.5%, The differential diagnosis of a pa inful soft tissue mass in the posteromedial region of the ankle includ es ganglion, lipoma, hemangioma, synovioma, and sarcomas, In light of these possibilities, most of the early reports of accessory soleus inc luded evaluation and treatment with biopsy, fasciotomy, or excision, F our patients, ranging in age from 14 to 66 years of age at the time of presentation, are discussed, Reports in the literature indicate that accessory soleus is a benign condition, and in most patients, a conser vative approach is indicated, In addition, magnetic resonance imaging is the preferred study for the evaluation of this condition, If a diag nosis of accessory soleus is made, and the patient has no symptoms, ob servation is recommended, However, if the patient has symptoms, fascio tomy generally is a successful form of treatment, For symptoms that pe rsist after fasciotomy, excision of the accessory soleus can be curati ve.