MATERIAL AND METHODS

An MR imaging teaching file illustrating soft-tissue lesions of the extremities was utilized to obtain material for the exhibit. This file had been maintained by the primary author with contributions from the coauthors. Several textbooks discussing the clinicopathological features of soft-tissue sarcoma and its mimics were reviewed along with current literature describing the MR imaging features of soft-tissue lesions of the extremities. Individual cases were selected from the teaching file to illustrate the spectrum of MR imaging features noted in soft-tissue lesions of the extremities pre and post therapy. The incidence and MR appearance of post surgical fluid collections was determined by a retrospective review of 62 post operative cases of soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremities. In selected cases correlative gross photographs obtained at the time of surgery were available for review. Histologic material illustrated in the exhibit was reviewed by an experienced musculoskeletal pathologist (A.G. Ayala, M.D). In cases in which slides were not available for viewing, the original histologic subtyping of tumor was accepted. Most MR studies were performed on a 1.5T unit. Routine spin-echo and gradient echo pulse sequences utilizing either the body coil or an extremity coil were performed. In selected cases (not necessarily in the same patient) fat suppression sequences, fast spin-echo T2-weighted sequences, time of flight MR angiography and post contrast T1-weighted sequences were obtained. MR imaging material was digitized using a VORTECH film scanner from original film. Images were enhanced using Adobe Photoshop 2.5 to preserve image precision at reduced sizes. Instructional design was developed using Microsoft Word, Nisus software's Nisus word processor, UserLand software's Frontier, and Common Knowledge's Arrange personal information manager. Graphic design was developed using Aldus' SuperPaint and Photoshop. Data was collected and incorporated into final form in MacroMedia's Authorware Professional.