Soft tissue tumor imaging in adults: whole-body staging in sarcoma, non-malignant entities requiring special algorithms, pitfalls and special imaging aspects. Guidelines 2024 from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)
Authors: Noebauer-Huhmann Iris-Melanie , Vanhoenacker Filip M. , Vilanova Joan C. , Tagliafico Alberto S. , Weber Marc-André , Lalam Radhesh K. , Grieser Thomas , Nikodinovska Violeta Vasilevska , de Rooy Jacky W. J. , Papakonstantinou Olympia , Mccarthy Catherine , Sconfienza Luca Maria , Verstraete Koenraad , Martel-Villagrán José , Szomolanyi Pavol , Lecouvet Frédéric E. , Afonso Diana , Albtoush Omar M. , Aringhieri Giacomo , Arkun Remide , Aström Gunnar , Bazzocchi Alberto , Botchu Rajesh , Breitenseher Martin , Chaudhary Snehansh , Dalili Danoob , Davies Mark , de Jonge Milko C. , Mete Berna D. , Fritz Jan , Gielen Jan L. M. A. , Hide Geoff , Isaac Amanda , Ivanoski Slavcho , Mansour Ramy M. , Muntaner-Gimbernat Lorenzo , Navas Ana , O´Donnell Paul , Örgüç Şebnem , Rennie Winston J. , Resano Santiago , Robinson Philip , Sanal Hatice T. , Ter Horst Simone A. J. , van Langevelde Kirsten , Wörtler Klaus , Koelz Marita , Panotopoulos Joannis , Windhager Reinhard , Bloem Johan L. 
Published: July 2024

Objectives

The revised European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) consensus guidelines on soft tissue tumor imaging represent an update of 2015 after technical advancements, further insights into specific entities, and revised World Health Organization (2020) and AJCC (2017) classifications. This second of three papers covers algorithms once histology is confirmed: (1) standardized whole-body staging, (2) special algorithms for non-malignant entities, and (3) multiplicity, genetic tumor syndromes, and pitfalls.

Materials and methods

A validated Delphi method based on peer-reviewed literature was used to derive consensus among a panel of 46 specialized musculoskeletal radiologists from 12 European countries. Statements that had undergone interdisciplinary revision were scored online by the level of agreement (0 to 10) during two iterative rounds, that could result in ‘group consensus’, ‘group agreement’, or ‘lack of agreement’.

Results

The three sections contain 24 statements with comments. Group consensus was reached in 95.8% and group agreement in 4.2%. For whole-body staging, pulmonary MDCT should be performed in all high-grade sarcomas. Whole-body MRI is preferred for staging bone metastasis, with [18F]FDG-PET/CT as an alternative modality in PET-avid tumors. Patients with alveolar soft part sarcoma, clear cell sarcoma, and angiosarcoma should be screened for brain metastases. Special algorithms are recommended for entities such as rhabdomyosarcoma, extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma, and neurofibromatosis type 1 associated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Satisfaction of search should be avoided in potential multiplicity.

Conclusion

Standardized whole-body staging includes pulmonary MDCT in all high-grade sarcomas; entity-dependent modifications and specific algorithms are recommended for sarcomas and non-malignant soft tissue tumors.

Clinical relevance statement

These updated ESSR soft tissue tumor imaging guidelines aim to provide support in decision-making, helping to avoid common pitfalls, by providing general and entity-specific algorithms, techniques, and reporting recommendations for whole-body staging in sarcoma and non-malignant soft tissue tumors.

Key Points

An early, accurate, diagnosis is crucial for the prognosis of patients with soft tissue tumors.

These updated guidelines provide best practice expert consensus for standardized imaging algorithms, techniques, and reporting.

Standardization can improve the comparability examinations and provide databases for large data analysis.