Fibromatosis of the brachial plexus and shoulder girdle

Fibromatosis is a term which encompasses a group of non-metastasizing fibroblastic tumors which tend to invade locally and recur after attempted excision. Although it frequently involves the shoulder region and brachial plexus, it has seldom been reported in the radiological literature. Five patients with disease involving this location are described. On computed tomograms the tumors appear as isodense irregular masses infiltrating adjacent muscles, especially the serratus anterior and the scalene muscles, without cystic or necrotic changes. The appearances are not specific but the diagnosis should be considered in such brachial plexus lesions. Computed tomography plays an important part in the preoperative management and follow-up of this entity.