CT-diagnosis of lipomatous tumors of the soft tissues

Twenty-six patients with soft tissue lipoma and liposarcoma were evaluated by CT; 17 lipomas and 9 liposarcomas. All the lipomas except for one subcutaneous lesion were well-delineated. All but one partly calcified lipoma had homogeneous density with attenuation values in the range of the patients' own subcutaneous fat (-65 to -125 HU). The liposarcomas, on the other hand, were less well-delineated and less homogeneous with considerably higher attenuation values. Contrast enhancement may be seen as opposed to lipomas. The results indicate that it is quite possible by CT to differentiate between lipoma and liposarcoma, which is of great help in the preoperative planning.