Why the study?
Spindle cell soft tissue sarcomas are rare, challenging malignancies that tend to masquerade as benign conditions.
This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of spindle cell soft tissue sarcomas presenting as chronic limb pain and emphasizes the necessity of advanced imaging and biopsy for accurate diagnosis.
Spindle cell sarcomas may mimic benign limb swelling; case reports leave diagnostic thresholds open for prospective validation.
Spindle cell soft tissue sarcomas are rare and challenging malignancies that tend to masquerade as benign conditions. This case report presents a 70-year-old female who sought medical attention due to persistent right lower limb pain and swelling over one year. Despite prior consultations at private clinics, her symptoms continued to progress. A tender, palpable swelling was noted upon examination, prompting further diagnostic investigations. Initial X-ray results yielded inconclusive findings, necessitating an MRI study with contrast. The MRI unveiled a substantial multi-lobulated spindle-shaped mass lesion exhibiting heterogeneous enhancement and altered signal intensity, measuring 7.3 x 2.5 x 2.2 centimeters. Additional nodular lesions in the periarticular region posterior to the ankle joint confirmed the diagnostic suspicion of spindle cell sarcoma, supported by orthopedic evaluation. Symptomatic management was initiated with analgesics and antibiotics, alongside a recommendation for biopsy. Histopathological examination of the biopsy specimen confirmed the presence of spindle cell soft tissue sarcoma under high magnification. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges of spindle cell sarcomas and the imperative role of a multidisciplinary approach in their accurate diagnosis and management.
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Khandelwal et al. (2023) studied this question.
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