title: Magnetic resonance imaging of localized giant cell tumour of the tendon sheath (MRI of localized GCTTS).
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the appearance of localized giant cell tumour of the tendon sheath (GCTTS) on unenhanced and Gd-enhanced MR images. MR images of 13 histologically proven cases of localized GCTTS were evaluated for mean size, location, homogeneity and signal intensity (SI) on both T1- and T2-weighted images, and enhancement pattern. All lesions except 1 affected young adults. On T1- and T2-weighted images, lesions showed predominantly low SI equal to or slightly higher than skeletal muscle. On Gd-enhanced T1-weighted images, strong homogeneous enhancement was seen. These findings reflect the underlying histological composition of the lesion; haemosiderin deposition in xanthoma cells, shortening T2-relaxation time, and abundant collagenous proliferation are responsible for low SI on T1- and T2-weighted images. Strong homogeneous enhancement originates from numerous proliferative capillaries in the collagenous stroma. We conclude that these characteristic MR features, together with clinical information, are a valuable diagnostic tool in offering a correct preoperative diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen, B-2650 Edegem, Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Beuckeleer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Schepper
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Belder
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Goethem
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Broeckx
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Verstraete
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vermaut
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005870:Giant Cell Tumors / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013586:Synovitis, Pigmented Villonodular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013710:Tendons / Q000473:pathology