title: A-Z of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.
abstract: This article reviews the typical and atypical locations, imaging findings, local recurrence, and metastatic pattern of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). MPNSTs are rare soft tissue sarcomas, commonly occur in extremities, and are often associated with neurofibromatosis. Distinction between benign and malignant tumors can be challenging on imaging. MPNSTs have a poor prognosis; however, rhabdomyoblastic differentiation (malignant triton tumor), which has imaging features similar to MPNSTs, is associated with even more aggressive behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kamran
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Shinagare
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hornick
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Ramaiya
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D018317:Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*