title: Fibroblastic and myofibroblastic tumors of the head and neck: comprehensive imaging-based review with pathologic correlation.
abstract: Fibroblastic and myofibroblastic tumors of the head and neck are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the proliferation of fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, or both. These tumors may be further subclassified on the basis of their behavior as benign, intermediate with malignant potential, or malignant. There are different types of fibroblastic and myofibroblastic tumors that can involve the head and neck including desmoid-type fibromatosis, solitary fibrous tumor, myofibroma/myofibromatosis, nodular fasciitis, nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, fibrosarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, fibromatosis coli, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, ossifying fibroma, fibrous histiocytoma, nodular fasciitis, fibromyxoma, hyaline fibromatosis and fibrous hamartoma. Although the imaging characteristics of fibroblastic and myofibroblastic tumors of the head and neck are nonspecific, imaging plays a pivotal role in the noninvasive diagnosis and characterization of these tumors, providing information about the constitution of tumors, their extension and invasion of adjacent structures. Correlation with the clinical history may help limit the differential diagnosis and radiologists should be familiar with the imaging appearance of these tumors to reach an accurate diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: rh64@aub.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Roula
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hourani
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: bt05@aub.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Bedros
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Taslakian
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: ns04@aub.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Nina S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Shabb
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: ln07@aub.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nassar
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: mh17@aub.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Mukbil H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hourani
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: rm17@aub.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moukarbel
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: as71@aub.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sabri
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Hôtel-Dieu de France, Saint-Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: tonirisk@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rizk
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D005350:Fibroma / Q000175:diagnosis; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D018218:Neoplasms, Fibrous Tissue / Q000473:pathology*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Benign; CT scan; Fibroblastic and myofibroblastic; Head and neck; MRI; Malignant