What to do with deep lipomatous tumors.
Although most deep soft-tissue sarcomas are fairly easily recognized as heterogenous masses that are bright on T2-weighted MRI and dark on T1-weighted MRI, liposarcomas are often difficult to distinguish from lipomas and other benign fatty tumors. Because clinical features overlap considerably between lipomas and liposarcomas, the radiographic features are of utmost importance in differentiating these entities. Key MRI features, such as homogeneity of fatty signal, absence of gadolinium enhancement, and low signal on short tau inversion recovery images, strongly support the diagnosis of benign lipoma, but the absence of these findings is not specific for liposarcoma. Unfortunately, biopsy frequently results in false negative findings; therefore, early referral to an orthopaedic oncologist is indicated when any radiographic features suggest that the mass could represent a liposarcoma.
Damron
Timothy A
TA
Syracuse University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA.
D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D008080:Liposarcoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D018205:Neoplasms, Adipose Tissue / Q000175:diagnosis; D011859:Radiography; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*