Distinction between well-differentiated liposarcoma and intramuscular lipoma by power Doppler ultrasonography.
BACKGROUND
This study evaluates the feasibility of ultrasonography in the distinction between well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLS) and intramuscular lipoma (IL).


METHODS
Three WDLSs and 9 ILs were included. Gray scale images were assessed for echogenicity, textural pattern and margins. Power Doppler ultrasonography was used to assess the number of detectable flow velocity signals in a 3 x 3 cm area. Furthermore, the ratio of the area occupied by colour flow signals relative to the selected area was determined.


RESULTS
Gray scale images showed no differences between WDLSs and ILs. However, power Doppler showed more than 2 flow velocity signals in all WDLSs, whereas only 11% of the ILs had 2 signals. In all WDLSs, colour flow signals occupied more than 30% of the selected area. In contrast, ILs were characterized by a low color-dot ratio. Histologically, increased vascularity was found close to malignant cell invasions.


CONCLUSIONS
Power Doppler ultrasonography is feasible to evaluate increased vascularity and thus differentiate WDLSs from ILs.
Futani
Hiroyuki
H
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa Nishinomiya, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan. h-futani@hyo-med.acjp
Yamagiwa
Tokuyoshi
T
Yasojimat
Hitoshi
H
Natsuaki
Masaru
M
Stugaard
Marie
M
Maruo
Soji
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008080:Liposarcoma / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019042:Muscle Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler