DIFFUSE NEUROFIBROMA OF THE ANKLE

Purpose: To correlate the imaging and histological findings in diffuse neurofibroma. Patients and Methods: Retrospective review of clinical, imaging and histological findings in two patients with diffuse neurof ibroma. Results: CT demonstrates diffuse infiltration of the deep and subcutaneous fat, isodense to muscle. Magnetic resonance imaging shows extensive infiltration of the subcutaneous and deep fat that envelops tendons and vessels but does not involve bone. Superficial masses enh ance homogeneously after intravenous gadolinium. The reticular nature of the deep infiltration is seen on all sequences but is most conspicu ous on post-gadolinium T1-weighted images which show tumour enhancemen t and non-enhancing hypointense soft tissue strands. Magnetic resonanc e angiography and Doppler ultrasound may show enlarged vessels, high b lood flow and vascular pools. Conclusion: Diffuse neurofibroma has a c haracteristic appearance on magnetic resonance that is best shown on p ost-gadolinium T1-weighted images.