In addition, CT allows for differentiation of soft tissue masses based on lesion density and can delineate vascular and bone involvement [29,30]. This differentiation may be better defined by immediately repeating the scan after contrast administration. During the assessment of cortical remodeling or invasion, the character of the interface between a soft tissue mass and the adjacent osseous cortex can usually be visualized to better advantage with CT compared to radiographs. CT Area of Interest Without and With IV Contrast CT without and with IV contrast does not typically play a role in the initial evaluation of a deep soft tissue mass. However, CT can be useful in areas where the osseous anatomy is complex or obscured for the distinction of ossification from calcification and the identification of characteristic patterns of mineralization [29,30]. In anatomically complex areas where radiographs would be less sensitive, CT may be beneficial as the initial or complementary imaging modality. Fortunately, the advent of virtual noncontrast reconstruction with modern dual- source CT scanners allows for acquisition of a single postcontrast scan with reconstruction of virtual noncontrast images, which can preclude the need for a separate precontrast scan phase [31]. For myositis ossificans, CT is superior to radiography in detecting the zonal pattern of mineralization, which is essential for early diagnosis [11]. In addition, CT allows for differentiation of soft tissue masses based on lesion density and can delineate vascular and bone involvement [29,30]. This differentiation may be better defined by immediately repeating the scan after contrast administration. During the assessment of cortical remodeling or invasion, the character of the interface between a soft tissue mass and the adjacent osseous cortex can usually be visualized to better advantage with CT compared to radiographs.
Soft Tissue Masses. In addition, CT allows for differentiation of soft tissue masses based on lesion density and can delineate vascular and bone involvement [29,30]. This differentiation may be better defined by immediately repeating the scan after contrast administration. During the assessment of cortical remodeling or invasion, the character of the interface between a soft tissue mass and the adjacent osseous cortex can usually be visualized to better advantage with CT compared to radiographs. CT Area of Interest Without and With IV Contrast CT without and with IV contrast does not typically play a role in the initial evaluation of a deep soft tissue mass. However, CT can be useful in areas where the osseous anatomy is complex or obscured for the distinction of ossification from calcification and the identification of characteristic patterns of mineralization [29,30]. In anatomically complex areas where radiographs would be less sensitive, CT may be beneficial as the initial or complementary imaging modality. Fortunately, the advent of virtual noncontrast reconstruction with modern dual- source CT scanners allows for acquisition of a single postcontrast scan with reconstruction of virtual noncontrast images, which can preclude the need for a separate precontrast scan phase [31]. For myositis ossificans, CT is superior to radiography in detecting the zonal pattern of mineralization, which is essential for early diagnosis [11]. In addition, CT allows for differentiation of soft tissue masses based on lesion density and can delineate vascular and bone involvement [29,30]. This differentiation may be better defined by immediately repeating the scan after contrast administration. During the assessment of cortical remodeling or invasion, the character of the interface between a soft tissue mass and the adjacent osseous cortex can usually be visualized to better advantage with CT compared to radiographs.