Which type of imaging would most likely be used for soft tissue examination?

MRI is the most appropriate imaging modality for soft tissue examination due to its superior contrast resolution, which allows for detailed visualization of soft tissues such as muscles, fat, and organs. MRI utilizes strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images, which can differentiate between various types of soft tissues much more effectively than other imaging techniques. This capability is especially beneficial in oncology, where precise evaluation of soft tissue tumors, their size, location, and relationship to surrounding structures is critical for diagnosis and treatment planning.

While other options have their own uses, they do not provide the same level of detail for soft tissue. Ultrasound is useful for real-time imaging and can assess some soft tissue conditions, but it may not provide as much detail as MRI. A CT scan is excellent for visualizing dense structures like bones and organs but may lack the clear detail for soft tissue compared to MRI. X-rays are primarily used for imaging bones and do not provide sufficient information about soft tissue structures. Thus, MRI stands out as the preferred choice for examining soft tissue.