title: Magnetic resonance imaging of subcutaneous diffuse neurofibroma.
abstract: A 31-year-old woman presented with increasing pain and tenderness of a long-standing soft tissue mass on her back. MRI showed a network of interconnecting tubular areas, which were T1 isointense and T2 hyperintense relative to skeletal muscle, and displayed marked Gd-DTPA enhancement. The lesion was situated within the subcutaneous fat. Clinically and radiologically, this mass was considered to be a subcutaneous venous haemangioma. Histological examination of the excised mass showed a diffuse neurofibroma with ectatic vessels and entrapped adipose tissue. Similar MRI appearances of subcutaneous haemangioma and diffuse neurofibroma may result in failure to make the correct diagnosis and in inappropriate management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Peh
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Shek
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Yip
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001415:Back; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*