Infantile fibromatosis in childhood: Findings on MR imaging and pathologiccorrelation

AIM: The objective of this study was to analyse the MR imaging findings of infantile fibromatosis of childhood and to correlate them with histopatholo gical features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients with histologically proven infantile fibromatosis were included in this study. The findings on MR images were re trospectively evaluated and then correlated with the pathological features. Findings on MR imaging evaluated included signal intensity, extent of hype rintense area on T2-weighted images, margins of the lesion, the degree and pattern of enhancement and the presence of fatty tissue. Pathological featu res evaluated included cellularity, collagenization, and myxoid change. A f ive point scale was used for the evaluation of the extent of hyperintense a rea on MR imaging, and each of pathological features. RESULTS: On T1-weighted images, the lesions were iso-intense in two patient s; iso- and hypointense in three; and iso-, hypo- and hyperintense in two. On T2-weighted images, iso-, hypo- and hyperintense areas were mixed in all patients, the hyperintense area being the largest portion of the lesion. T he margins of the lesions were infiltrative in four patients (57%), smooth in two (29%) and mixed in one (14%). Enhancement was marked in five patient s (72%) and diffuse in five (71%), Regardless of the hyperintense signal in tensity on T2-weighted images, the grades of each pathologic feature were v ariable. CONCLUSION: Infantile fibromatosis on MR imaging causes an enhancing mass, that is largely hyperintense on T2-weighted images, Areas of high signal in tensity on T2-weighted images corresponded to variable grades of cellularit y, collagenization, or myxoid change. (C) 2000 The Royal College of Radiolo gists.