Radiological evaluation of deep soft tissue fibromatosis, the characteristic MR criteria on conventional and corresponding diffusion-weighted images

• Published in: Egyptian journal of radiology and nuclear medicine 2020-01, Vol.51 (1), p.8-10
• Main Authors: Zeitoun, Rania, Khafagy, Sarah Maged, Mahmoud, Ikram Hamed, El-Wahab, Nagui Mohamed Abd
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdomen; Connective tissue diseases; Desmoid; DWI; Fibromatosis; Magnetic resonance imaging; MRI; Soft tissue tumors; Tumors; Work stations
• ISSN: 0378-603X; 2090-4762
• DOI: 10.1186/s43055-019-0097-5

BackgroundTo analyze the characteristic features of deep fibromatosis on conventional and diffusion-weighted MR images.ResultThe lesions were growing along the musculoaponeurotic fascia, mostly invaded the muscles, and showed ill-defined margins, low T2 signal bands and areas, and facial tail sign. Diffusion images showed mostly high or high mixed with low signal; only 2 lesions showed a persistent low signal. The average mean and minimum ADC values were 1.41 ± 0.26 × 10−3 mm2/s and 0.79 ± 0.43 × 10−3 mm2/s respectively. Post-contrast and DWI detected synchronous lesions and extensions missed on T1 and T2 images.ConclusionThe most frequent MR features of deep fibromatosis are low T2 signal bands and areas, fascial tail sign, ill or partially defined margins, and predominant restricted diffusion pattern in addition to areas of “T2-blackout effect.” Post-contrast and DWI are more valuable in local staging of the tumor.