LIPOSARCOMA OF SOFT-TISSUE - MRI FINDINGS WITH PATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION

Objective. To evaluate the MRI findings of liposarcomas of different h istologic types and correlate these with the histopathologic features. Design. The MR images of seven liposarcomas were reviewed retrospecti vely to assess the tumor size, location, margination, signal character istics and enhancement patterns in different histologic types. Patient s. Seven liposarcomas comprising three well-differentiated, two myxoid and two pleomorphic types were evaluated. Results nod conclusion. All tumors showed well-defined and mostly lobulated margins. The well-dif ferentiated liposarcomas were composed mainly of fat with septations o r nodules, were hyperintense on T2-weighted images, and demonstrated f aint enhancement or no enhancement following intravenous contrast. Myx oid liposarcomas were homogeneous or mildly heterogeneous and a pseudo capsule was present in one case. Pleomorphic types showed a markedly h eterogeneous internal structure, Both myxoid and pleomorphic lesions-s howed moderate or marked heterogeneous enhancement after contrast admi nistration. Well-differentiated liposarcomas may be differentiated fro m other types of the tumor by their largely lipomatous appearance. The malignancy grade increases in parallel with tumor heterogeneity and c ontrast enhancement.