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Elastofibroma dorsi: radiologic findings in 12 patients
M F Naylor1, A G Nascimento, A D Sherrick
1Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Radiologists often miss elastofibromas, benign tumors that are commonly bilateral and have characteristic imaging findings. Increased awareness can prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary procedures.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Elastofibromas are benign soft-tissue tumors.
- They are often asymptomatic and can be mistaken for malignancies.
- Radiologists need to be more aware of their imaging characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report radiologic findings of elastofibroma dorsi in 12 patients.
- To increase radiologist awareness of imaging characteristics.
- To decrease misdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of radiology and pathology.
- Included nine surgically excised and three radiologically diagnosed cases.
- Analyzed 21 elastofibromas in 12 patients.
Main Results:
- 90% showed typical CT/MR appearances: heterogeneous mass with muscle-like tissue and fat strands.
- All bilateral cases (100%) were sub- or infrascapular.
- Few cases were correctly diagnosed by initial radiologists.
Conclusions:
- Many radiologists are unaware of elastofibroma diagnosis.
- Elastofibromas are commonly bilateral, aiding diagnosis.
- Increased awareness improves radiologic diagnosis, reducing biopsies and surgeries.