Uterine smooth-muscle tumors with unusual growth patterns: imaging with pathologic correlation.
OBJECTIVE
This essay illustrates the salient features of variant smooth-muscle tumors on multiple imaging techniques with correlative pathology. We describe how recognition of these features allows the radiologist to distinguish a uterine leiomyoma variant from the classic fibroid or a leiomyosarcoma. Finally, we highlight the role of the radiologist in triaging these patients to surgical versus medical management and in surgical planning.


CONCLUSIONS
Parasitic leiomyoma, intravenous leiomyomatosis, disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis, and benign metastasizing leiomyoma show key features on multiple imaging techniques that correlate with pathology findings. In the appropriate clinical setting, the radiologist should include these unusual lesions in the broader differential diagnosis of smooth-muscle tumors and, in certain cases, aid in surgical planning.
Cohen
Daniel T
DT
Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St., White 270, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Oliva
Esther
E
Hahn
Peter F
PF
Fuller
Arlan F
AF
Lee
Susanna I
SI
D000328:Adult; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D018235:Smooth Muscle Tumor / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*