HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) CME Test (opens in a new window) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Murphey, M. D. Articles by Fanburg-Smith, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Murphey, M. D. Articles by Fanburg-Smith, J. Related Collections Musculoskeletal Radiology

From the Archives of the AFIP

Imaging of Musculoskeletal Liposarcoma with Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation¹

¹ From the Departments of Radiologic Pathology (M.D.M., L.K.A.) and Soft Tissue Pathology (J.F.S.), Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, 6825 16th St NW, Bldg 54, Rm M-133A, Washington, DC 20306; Department of Radiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore (M.D.M.); and Department of Radiology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC (M.D.M.). Received April 29, 2005; revision requested May 26 and received June 20; accepted June 21. All authors have no financial relationships to disclose. Address correspondence to M.D.M. (e-mail: murphey{at}afip.osd.mil).

Liposarcoma is the second most common type of soft-tissue sarcoma, accounting for 10%–35% of these lesions. The World Health Organization has categorized soft-tissue liposarcomas into five distinct histologic subtypes: well differentiated, dedifferentiated, myxoid, pleomorphic, and mixed type. Well-differentiated liposarcomas frequently demonstrate a diagnostic appearance on computed tomographic (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) images, with a largely lipomatous mass (>75% of the lesion) and nonlipomatous components in thick septa or focal nodules. The CT or MR imaging finding of a nodular dominant focus (>1 cm in size) of nonlipomatous tissue in a well-differentiated liposarcoma suggests dedifferentiated liposarcoma, and biopsy should be directed at the nonadipose component. The high water content of myxoid liposarcoma seen at pathologic analysis and constituting the majority of the lesion is reflected at sonography, CT, and MR imaging. However, the detection of a small amount of adipose tissue in the septa or as small nodular foci superimposed on the background of myxoid tissue allows prospective diagnosis in 78%–95% of myxoid liposarcomas. Pleomorphic liposarcomas are high-grade sarcomatous lesions and typically appear as heterogeneous soft-tissue masses, although small amounts of fat are seen on MR images in 62%–75% of cases, findings that suggest the diagnosis. Mixed-type liposarcomas have features representing a combination of the other subtypes. Primary liposarcoma of bone is exceedingly rare and usually demonstrates aggressive nonspecific features, although fat may be seen. Understanding and recognition of the spectrum of appearances of the various types of musculoskeletal liposarcoma, which reflect their underlying pathologic characteristics, improves radiologic assessment and is vital for optimal patient management.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. R. Bhosale, M. Patnana, C. Viswanathan, and J. Szklaruk The Inguinal Canal: Anatomy and Imaging Features of Common and Uncommon Masses RadioGraphics, May 1, 2008; 28(3): 819 - 835. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. S. Stacy and L. B. Dixon Pitfalls in MR Image Interpretation Prompting Referrals to an Orthopedic Oncology Clinic RadioGraphics, May 1, 2007; 27(3): 805 - 826. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]