MRI evaluation of post-operative seromas in extremity soft tissue sarcomas

Objective. To define the spectrum of MRI appearances of postoperative serom as in patients who have undergone excision of extremity soft tissue sarcoma s. Local recurrence is always of concern; often a second-look procedure is performed to assess this possibility. Unnecessary surgical exploration may be avoided if radiologists and orthopedic oncologists are familiar with thi s spectrum of MRI appearances. Design and patients. The medical records and images of 85 patients with ext remity soft tissue sarcomas were reviewed. Postoperative MRI examinations w ere available in 46 patients. Eight of these demonstrated MRI evidence of p ostoperative seroma. The initial size, rate of change, margin, and internal architecture of each seroma was measured, calculated, graded, and graphed. Results and conclusion. MRI is an excellent modality for the evaluation of postoperative seromas. Globular areas of low to intermediate signal materia l within seromas may represent organized hematomas or granulation tissue ra ther than sarcoma recurrence. Local recurrence rarely occurs within seromas .