Soft tissue malignancies of the lower extremities can develop under the mask of deep vein thrombosis or soft tissue hematoma. No specific symptoms and long anamnesis of some malignant neoplasms complicate timely diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the difficulties of clinical, instrumental and differential diagnosis of shin liposarcoma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A 65-year-old woman has suffered from pleomorphic liposarcoma of the lower leg for more than 2 years. Follow-up and preoperative examination included repeated ultrasound and MRI of the lower leg.

RESULTS

Deep vein thrombosis was supposed throughout the follow-up period, chronic hematoma was suspected prior to surgery. Nevertheless, liposarcoma was established after intraoperative urgent histological examination.

CONCLUSION

Malignant neoplasm should be considered in patients with unilateral edema and atypical survey data regardless duration of anamnesis and confidence in preliminary diagnosis. Thus, additional examination including percutaneous or incisional biopsy may be required.