title: Soft tissue diffuse neurofibromas: sonographic findings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to describe the sonographic findings of soft tissue diffuse neurofibromas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven soft tissue diffuse neurofibromas proven pathologically were retrospectively evaluated. Medical records and histologic examinations were reviewed, and sonograms were analyzed for the echogenicity, location, margin, and vascularity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All identified lesions were hyperechoic masses permeated by multiple interconnecting irregular hypoechoic tubular or nodular structures. All lesions were located in the subcutaneous fat zone, and all had poorly defined margins with adjacent normal subcutaneous fat. The margins between the lesions and the adjacent muscles were well defined in 5 and poorly defined in the other 2. The vascularity was extensive in 5 lesions and scarce in the other 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Soft tissue diffuse neurofibromas have a characteristic sonographic appearance; therefore, sonography should be considered a useful tool in the initial screening of this disease.
authors: Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound, Peking University Third Hospital, 100083 Beijing, China. chenwen7989@yahoo.com
authors: Wen
authors: W
authors: Chen
authors: Jian-Wen
authors: JW
authors: Jia
authors: Jin-Rui
authors: JR
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color