Revisiting the WHO classification system of soft tissue tumours: emphasis on advanced magnetic resonance imaging sequences. Part 1.

Abstract

The World Health Organisation (WHO) classification categorises musculoskeletal soft tissue tumours (STT) based on their similarity to normal adult tissue. The most recent WHO classification provides an updated scheme that integrates biological behaviour as a distinguishing feature in each subcategory; STTs are further subdivided as benign, intermediate (locally aggressive or rarely metastasising), and malignant. Although malignant STTs are infrequent in routine orthopaedic radiology practice, musculoskeletal radiologists must be familiar with the imaging appearance of malignant STTs and distinguish them from their benign counterparts for appropriate management. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the ideal modality for the detection, characterisation, and local staging of STT. This review will discuss the most recent updates to the WHO classification of STT that are relevant to radiologists in a routine clinical practice with MRI correlation. The utility of advanced MRI sequences such as diffusion weighted imaging, dynamic contrast enhanced sequences, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy to provide insight into the biological behaviour of various STTs is highlighted.