Sonographic diagnosis of fibromatosis

To investigate the value of sonography in the diagnosis of fibromatosis.

We retrospectively reviewed the sonographic findings, pathologic results, and other medical records of 42 patients with pathologically proven fibromatosis. The tumor's size and location were recorded. Echogenicity, margins, vascularity, and relationship with the adjacent tissue were analyzed.

A total of 42 patients with 44 lesions were included in the study. In 21 patients, the tumor was a primary tumor. In 7 of these patients, a preoperative diagnosis of fibromatosis was obtained via sonographically guided biopsy or surgical biopsy. In another 21 patients, the tumor was a recurrence (including 1 case of malignant transformation). Well-defined and regular margins were demonstrated in 26 lesions (59%), whereas poorly defined and irregular borders were seen in the other 18 lesions. On Doppler imaging, vascularity was absent in 66% (29/44) lesions, moderate in 23% (10/44), and marked in 11% (5/44). Infiltration into the adjacent skeletal muscles, cortical bone, or encasement vessels, nerves, or tendons was found in 21 (48%) lesions.

In patients with fibromatosis, sonography demonstrates a nonspecific hypoechoic solid mass and can guide the percutaneous needle biopsy.