FIBROMATOSES OF CHILDHOOD - THE SPECTRUM OF RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS

Fibrous tumors of childhood include several disorders with variable bi ologic behavior, In the review by Coffin and Dehner [1] of 190 soft-ti ssue neoplasms in 183 children, 27% were fibroblastic or myofibroblast ic in origin. Although nearly all fibrous lesions are benign, they may be locally aggressive. The purpose of this essay is to describe clini cal characteristics and to illustrate radiologic features of commonly encountered fibrous lesions of childhood. Familiarity with the present ation and variable appearance may aid the radiologist in suggesting th e diagnosis of fibromatosis.