title: Soft-tissue inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) of the limbs: potential and limits of diagnostic imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of diagnostic imaging in the identification, localization, and characterization of soft-tissue inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) of limbs with correlation to differential diagnosis and therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  From a retrospective analysis of 324 histologically verified soft-tissue lesions of limbs and extremities diagnosed in our institute from January 2002 to July 2010, we selected seven cases of histologically proven IMT. These included six males and one female, aged between 28 and 81 years (mean age, 57 years). Lesions were localized in three cases to the thigh, in two cases to the popliteal space, and in the remaining two cases, to the shoulder girdle. All patients were evaluated on the basis of US, CT, and MRI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ultrasound detected the presence of a non-homogeneous solid formation in all cases and calcifications in three cases. CT showed the presence and type of calcification/ossification and bone reaction. On MRI, all cases had low signal intensity on SE T1-weighted sequences and an intermediate-low signal intensity on SE and FSE T2-weighted sequences in six of them; only one case had an intermediate-high signal intensity on SE and FSE T2-weighted sequences. Both contrast-enhanced CT and MRI showed precocious enhancement in association with multiple peripheral hypertrophic blood vessels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of integrated imaging data obtained by US, CT, and MRI, it is possible to evaluate the lesion extension to provide a loco-regional staging, to characterize IMTs, and to allow an optimal therapeutical planning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of L'Aquila, S. Salvatore Hospital, Coppito, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masciocchi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lanni
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Conchiglia
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fascetti
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Flamini
authors.forename: Gino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coletti
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barile
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009379:Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*