CT AND NIR IMAGING OF ABDOMINAL LIPOSARCOMA

OBJECTIVE. CT and MR images were reviewed to correlate the histologic subtypes of abdominal liposarcoma with the radiologic findings. SUBJEC TS AND METHODS. Ten patients with liposarcoma who underwent CT or MR i maging before surgery were included in this study, CT and MR imaging f indings for these patients were compared retrospectively with histolog ic findings. RESULTS. Major histologic subtypes found in our group of patients were five well-differentiated, three myxoid, one pleomorphic, and one round-cell liposarcomas. The well-differentiated subtype cons isted of lipoma-like and/or sclerosing components. The predominant att enuation and signal intensity characteristics of the lipoma-like compo nents on CT and MR images resembled those of fat, whereas the predomin ant attenuation and signal intensity characteristics of the sclerosing components resembled those of muscle. The myxoid subtype showed, on u nenhanced images, predominant attenuation and signal intensity charact eristics that resembled those of water; on contrast-enhanced images, t his subtype showed gradual reticular enhancement. The appearance of th e round-cell and pleomorphic subtypes was that of heterogeneous, nonfa tty tumors, Their characteristics were indistinguishable from those of other malignant soft-tissue masses. CONCLUSION. Each histologic subty pe of abdominal liposarcoma showed different CT attenuation or MR imag ing signal intensity characteristics. A clear understanding of these f indings should prove helpful in the diagnosis of liposarcoma.