Magnetic resonance imaging of pseudomalignant osseous tumor of the hand.

Noninfectious, nonneoplastic reactive processes of the hand, such as myositis ossificans circumscripta, pseudomalignant osseous tumor of soft tissue, and florid reactive periostitis, appear similar radiologically and histologically and are often difficult to differentiate. Magnetic resonance (MR) findings in two such lesions are reported. The extensive reactive change in the extraosseous soft tissue and the bone marrow and the relatively small extent of ossification may be characteristic. Although low-grade infection and small osseous neoplasms with reactive changes, such as osteoid osteoma, may still remain possible causes, MR imaging provides essential evidence for including noninfective, nonneoplastic reactive processes of uncertain cause in the list of differential diagnoses.