Learning objectives
The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate the role of each imaging method,
such as ultrasonogrphy,
elastography,
MRI and CT in diagnosis of desmoid tumors in pediatric patients.
Background
Desmoid tumors are benign soft tissue tumors (known as aggressive fibromatosis) that arise from musculoaponevrotic structures.
It was first described in 1832 by McFarlane and it accounts for 0.03% of all neoplasms.
Desmoid tumors are rarely encountered in children,
but they are more aggressive at pediatric age.
These tumors often develop on postsurgical or posttraumatic scars and can also be related to pregnancy and oral contraceptive use.
It has been established the association with Gardner syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis.
Desmoid tumors have a very...
Findings and procedure details
Ultrasonography and Elastography findings
On ultrasound,
aggressive fibromatosis appears as a homogeneos,
hypoechoic soft tissue mass.
It may show variable vascularity and can be lobulated.
When the tumor has large dimensions it may cause difficulty establishing the origin of the lesion.
(Fig 3,
4 and 5)
Elastography is not a common method of diagnosis for desmoid tumors because it is demonstrated that elastography have the same sensitivity as grey-scale US-scan.
(Fig.
6)
CT findings
On CT desmoids tumors appear as relatively homogeneos masses,
with well...
Conclusion
MRI is the most sensitive method of diagnosis for tumoral extension in adiacent structures because of its excellent soft tissue contrast .
The T2-weighted images may have prognostic value because of the T2 high signal associated with higher cellularity,
which means rapid growth.
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