IMAGING STUDIES IN SOFT-TISSUE MASSES ABO UT THE KNEE IN PEDIATRIC-PATIENTS

Soft tumor tissues about the knee are uncommon in pediatric patients, and their evaluation has benefited greatly from the introduction of co ntemporary imaging techniques. The normal anatomy of the knee is revie wed, and available imaging techniques are discussed, including plain r adiography, ultrasonography, angiography, computed tomography, and mag netic resonance imaging. The findings from these studies and from the physical evaluation allow to differentiate popliteal swellings (poplit eal cyst, hematoma, myositis ossificans circumscripta), extraarticular benign and malignant tumors (described based on the tissue they arise from), and intraarticular lesions (e.g., synovial lipoma, osteochondr omatosis, pigmented villonodular synovitis). A soft tissue tumor about the knee in a child should be investigated by plain radiography, ultr asonography, and magnetic resonance imaging, since accurate informatio n on the spread of the lesion is essential to complete removal of tumo rous processes.