A rare case of mixed tumor of the elbow mimicking sarcoma in radiology: a diagnostic challenge

The occurrence of mixed tumors in soft tissues or myoepithelial tumors is extremely rare. Herein, we report a case of a mixed tumor suspected to be a sarcoma based on imaging findings. A 64-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with a mass that had been present for 10 years and had gradually increased in size, prompting medical attention. Magnetic resonance imaging raised the suspicion of sarcoma, leading to a pathological diagnosis of myoepithelioma. Surgery was performed, and histopathological examination confirmed the presence of both epithelial and myoepithelial structures, resulting in a final diagnosis of a mixed tumor. Three years after the surgery, no recurrence was observed. In this case, considering the size and duration of the illness, a benign subcutaneous tumor was suspected. However, the heterogeneity in imaging findings raised concerns about sarcoma, making differential diagnosis challenging. Although the imaging characteristics of mixed tumors are currently unclear, their signals and internal characteristics may be heterogeneous. Therefore, clinical findings and imaging should not mislead the diagnosis, and histopathological examination remains a shortcut for diagnosis and treatment.