Module 44, General Medical Level

A 6 year old female presented to Outpatient Clinic with mass in her left foot which the mother says has been getting bigger and causes pain when the child walks more than a few steps. There was firm tender mass within the planter arch area of the left foot. The mass was approximately 6.5 x l7 cm. It involved virtually the entire arch of the foot. An x-ray was obtained which demonstrated normal bones and no calcification in the soft tissues.

Question 44A

The next stage in the work up of this lesion should be to obtain an MRI scan of the foot.

Question 44B

You can reassure the mother that soft tissue masses of the foot in a child is almost never malignant .

Question 44C

The work up of this lesion should also include a bone scan.

Question 44D

Most soft tissue masses in the foot are diagnosed early and if they cause pain it is usually mechanical pain. (Meaning the pain is induced by walking or activity of the foot not night rest pain)

Question 44E

Most benign soft tissue masses of the foot are easy to excise.

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