12 research outputs found
Elastofibroma dorsi – differential diagnosis in chest wall tumours
BACKGROUND: Elastofibromas are benign soft tissue tumours mostly of the infrascapular region between the thoracic wall, the serratus anterior and the latissimus dorsi muscle with a prevalence of up to 24% in the elderly. The pathogenesis of the lesion is still unclear, but repetitive microtrauma by friction between the scapula and the thoracic wall may cause the reactive hyperproliferation of fibroelastic tissue. METHODS: We present a series of seven cases with elastofibroma dorsi with reference to clinical findings, further clinical course and functional results after resection, as well as recurrence. Data were obtained retrospectively by clinical examination, phone calls to the patients' general practitioners and charts review. Follow-up time ranged from four months to nine years and averaged 53 months. RESULTS: The patients presented with swelling of the infrascapular region or snapping scapula. In three cases, the lesion was painful. The ratio men/women was 2/5 with a mean age of 64 years. The tumor sizes ranged from 3 to 13 cm. The typical macroscopic aspect was characterized as poorly defined fibroelastic soft tissue lesion with a white and yellow cut surface caused by intermingled remnants of fatty tissue. Microscopically, the lesions consisted of broad collagenous strands and densely packed enlarged and fragmented elastic fibres with mostly round shapes. In all patients but one, postoperative seroma (which had to be punctuated) occurred after resection; however, at follow-up time, no patient reported any decrease of function or sensation at the shoulder or the arm of the operated side. None of the patients experienced a relapse. CONCLUSION: In differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors located at this specific site, elastofibroma should be considered as likely diagnosis. Due to its benign behaviour, the tumor should be resected only in symptomatic patients
Recommended from our members
Labrocapsular ligamentous complex of the shoulder: normal anatomy, anatomic variation, and pitfalls of MR imaging and MR arthrography.
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a useful modality for evaluating the labrocapsular ligamentous complex (LCLC) of the shoulder. MR arthrography is an important and occasionally indispensable supplementary modality for accurate differentiation between normal and deranged glenohumeral joints. Because of the joint distention that occurs during MR arthrography, it is especially helpful in detecting subtle capsular derangement, as occurs in patients with atraumatic instability. Also, some of the pitfalls associated with MR imaging of the LCLC are less likely to occur with MR arthrography. Radiologists should look for several key abnormalities when evaluating MR images of the shoulder: an anterior or posterior Bankart lesion; a Hill-Sachs defect; a tear of the rotator cuff, glenoid labrum, or superior labrum-biceps tendon attachment; and loose bodies. Knowledge of normal anatomy, normal variations, and pitfalls in image interpretation related to evaluation of the LCLC will help the radiologist accurately detect debilitating derangements associated with glenohumeral instability
MR arthrographic demonstration of an unusual multiplication anomaly concerning the glenohumeral ligaments
Review of non-positron emission tomography functional imaging of primary musculoskeletal tumours: Beyond the humble bone scan
10.1111/j.1440-1673.2005.01452.xAustralasian Radiology496445-459AURD