What is soft shoulder sign?

The "soft shoulder sign" is a descriptive term used in radiology, particularly in the context of imaging studies involving the gastrointestinal tract. It is associated with the appearance of certain benign lesions, such as a lipoma, within the bowel. The sign gets its name from the characteristic appearance of the lesion’s margins.

In the presence of a lipoma in the gastrointestinal tract, a radiologic finding might show a "soft shoulder" appearance on the edge of the lesion. This refers to the gentle, rounded indentation seen at the border of the lipoma, which results from the lesion being well-circumscribed and having a soft, pliable texture due to its fatty composition.

This sign is typically identified during imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), where a lipoma may appear as a homogenous, well-defined, low-attenuation lesion. Recognizing the soft shoulder sign is important because it helps differentiate benign lipomas from other potential masses or pathologies that may require different management approaches.

It's worth noting that while this sign is useful, it is just one element of an overall assessment; comprehensive clinical correlation and further investigations may still be necessary to confirm the diagnosis and determine appropriate treatment.