Superficial Endometriosis Mimicking Soft Tissue Tumors: A Case Series of Clinical and Characteristic MRI Findings in Eight Patients

Ariizumi T, Kawashima H, Hatano H, T Yamagishi, Oike N, Ogose A
In: International Medical Case Reports Journal, Vol Volume 19, Iss Issue 1, Pp 1-10 (2026) · 2026 · W7125570226
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This retrospective study of eight patients with superficial endometriosis identified menstrual pain and distinct small hyperintense foci on MRI as key features distinguishing these lesions from soft tissue tumors.

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This retrospective case series analyzed the clinical and radiological features of eight women with pathologically confirmed superficial endometriosis that mimicked soft tissue tumors. The study found that while most lesions appeared isointense to muscle on MRI, a consistent diagnostic indicator was the presence of small hyperintense foci within the mass on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Additionally, cyclic pain associated with menstruation served as a key clinical differentiator from neoplastic growths, helping to distinguish these benign conditions from malignant ones. This paper is centrally about endometriosis — specifically focusing on the imaging characteristics and differential diagnosis of superficial extragenital lesions.

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Abstract

Takashi Ariizumi,1 Hiroyuki Kawashima,1 Hiroshi Hatano,2 Tetsuro Yamagishi,2 Naoki Oike,1 Akira Ogose3 1Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan; 2Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata Cancer Center Hospital, Niigata, Japan; 3Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Uonuma Kikan Hospital, Niigata, JapanCorrespondence: Takashi Ariizumi, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 757-1, Asahimachi-dori, Niigata, 951-8510, Japan, Tel +81-25-227-2272, Fax +81-25-227-0782, Email [email protected]: Differentiating superficial endometriosis from soft tissue tumor is important because these two conditions required quite different therapeutic strategies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiological imaging findings and clinical features of superficial endometriosis mimicking soft tissue tumor and to clarify the distinction between these two diseases.Patients and Methods: In this retrospective study, 8 women (mean age, 40.1, range, 31– 51) who were pathologically diagnosed with endometriosis and underwent excisional biopsy were identified. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic findings were reviewed.Results: All patients had history or coexisting obstetric or gynecologic disorder, such as ovarian cyst, uterine myoma, or cesarean section. Five patients complained of painful mass lesions during menstruation. On magnetic resonance imaging, although 6 of 8 patients exhibited lesions isointense to muscle on both T1- and T2-weighted images, a consistent and diagnostically important finding was the presence of distinct small hyperintense foci within the lesions on both sequences. Only one patient had cystic hyperintense lesion on T2-weighted image with fluid-fluid level feature.Conclusion: We showed the clinical and radiographic findings of superficial endometriosis. Painful mass during menstruation is an important finding distinguishing soft tissue tumor from superficial endometriosis. Magnetic resonance imaging shows small foci or fluid-fluid level and is useful in clarifying the suspicion of superficial endometriosis to avoid misdiagnosis.Keywords: extragenital endometriosis, magnetic resonance imaging, superficial endometriosis, soft tissue tumor, fluid-fluid level
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International Medical Case Reports Journal (Jan 2026) Superficial Endometriosis Mimicking Soft Tissue Tumors: A Case Series of Clinical and Characteristic MRI Findings in Eight Patients Abstract Takashi Ariizumi,1 Hiroyuki Kawashima,1 Hiroshi Hatano,2 Tetsuro Yamagishi,2 Naoki Oike,1 Akira Ogose3 1Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan; 2Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata Cancer Center Hospital, Niigata, Japan; 3Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Uonuma Kikan Hospital, Niigata, JapanCorrespondence: Takashi Ariizumi, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 757-1, Asahimachi-dori, Niigata, 951-8510, Japan, Tel +81-25-227-2272, Fax +81-25-227-0782, Email [email protected]: Differentiating superficial endometriosis from soft tissue tumor is important because these two conditions required quite different therapeutic strategies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiological imaging findings and clinical features of superficial endometriosis mimicking soft tissue tumor and to clarify the distinction between these two diseases.Patients and Methods: In this retrospective study, 8 women (mean age, 40.1, range, 31– 51) who were pathologically diagnosed with endometriosis and underwent excisional biopsy were identified. Demographic, clinical, and radiographic findings were reviewed.Results: All patients had history or coexisting obstetric or gynecologic disorder, such as ovarian cyst, uterine myoma, or cesarean section. Five patients complained of painful mass lesions during menstruation. On magnetic resonance imaging, although 6 of 8 patients exhibited lesions isointense to muscle on both T1- and T2-weighted images, a consistent and diagnostically important finding was the presence of distinct small hyperintense foci within the lesions on both sequences. Only one patient had cystic hyperintense lesion on T2-weighted image with fluid-fluid level feature.Conclusion: We showed the clinical and radiographic findings of superficial endometriosis. Painful mass during menstruation is an important finding distinguishing soft tissue tumor from superficial endometriosis. Magnetic resonance imaging shows small foci or fluid-fluid level and is useful in clarifying the suspicion of superficial endometriosis to avoid misdiagnosis.Keywords: extragenital endometriosis, magnetic resonance imaging, superficial endometriosis, soft tissue tumor, fluid-fluid level

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