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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Skeletal Muscle Disease
Published on: December 18, 2016
Myofibromatosis: imaging characteristics
Khaldoun Koujok1, Robert E Ruiz, Ramiro J Hernandez
1Department of Radiology, CS Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan Health System, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive/F3503, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0252, USA.
Insights
Infantile myofibromatosis imaging reveals varied appearances across ultrasound, CT, and MRI. Key findings include anechoic centers on ultrasound and peripheral enhancement on CT and MRI for these fibrous tumors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Infantile myofibromatosis is the most common fibrous tumor in infants, affecting skin, muscle, bone, and viscera.
- It presents as solitary or multicentric forms, with or without visceral involvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the imaging features of extracranial infantile myofibromatosis.
- To correlate imaging findings with histopathology for accurate diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of imaging studies (US, CT, MRI) in six infants (1 day-1 week old).
- Detailed analysis of mass characteristics including signal intensity, enhancement patterns, and associated findings.
Main Results:
- Ultrasound showed variable appearances, including purely anechoic centers with thick walls.
- CT revealed masses with lower/similar attenuation to muscle, often with peripheral enhancement.
- MRI demonstrated low T1 signal, variable T2 signal (low or high center), and consistent peripheral enhancement post-gadolinium.
Conclusions:
- Infantile myofibromatosis exhibits diverse imaging presentations.
- Characteristic findings include anechoic centers on US, peripheral enhancement on CT/MRI, and potential bone involvement on CT.
- Comprehensive imaging assessment is crucial for diagnosing extracranial infantile myofibromatosis.
Background:
Infantile myofibromatosis is the most common fibrous tumor of infancy. It can involve the skin, muscle, bone, and viscera. This uncommon entity is subdivided into solitary and multicentric forms, with or without visceral involvement.
Objective:
To describe the imaging characteristics of extracranial myofibromatosis.
Materials And Methods:
Six infants, aged 1 day-1 week, were evaluated by imaging. All six patients had evaluation of one of the masses by US; four patients had CT evaluation of at least one of the masses; and five patients had evaluation by MRI.
Results:
The US appearance of the myofibromas included a mass with a purely anechoic center with a thick wall, a mass with a partially anechoic center, and a mass without anechoic components. On enhanced CT, the masses had lower or similar attenuation compared to adjacent muscle, with some masses exhibiting peripheral enhancement. The MR appearance consisted of low signal on T1-weighted imaging. On T2-weighted imaging, two had low signal of the center and the other three had high signal. All masses showed peripheral enhancement after gadolinium administration.
Conclusions:
Myofibromas have variable appearance on US, with a mass with an anechoic center being the most common feature. On CT, the mass can exhibit peripheral enhancement, calcifications, and erosion of adjacent bone. The MR appearance consisted of low signal on T1-weighted imaging and high or low signal of the center on T2-weighted imaging. All masses showed peripheral enhancement after gadolinium administration.
