Nodular fasciitis: an unexpected finding on computed tomography and positron emission tomography

Mind the Pitfall: Solitary Nodular Fasciitis Mimicking Extra-Nodal Manifestation of Hodgkin Lymphoma on [18F]FDG PET/CT

We report a [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F]FDG PET/CT) scan of a 17-year-old male presenting increased focal glucose metabolism of a histologically proven solitary nodular fasciitis mimicking an extranodal manifestation of Hodgkin lymphoma. This interesting image should draw attention to considering nodular fasciitis as a possible pitfall in the staging of malignant diseases.

Nodular fasciitis of the external auditory canal: Clinical case report and review of the literature

Nodular fasciitis is a benign reactive soft tissue tumor arising from fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Its incidence is low and misdiagnosis is frequent especially for malignant lesions. This can lead to inappropriate and unnecessary invasive treatment. Nodular fasciitis of the external auditory canal is extremely rare. So far, around fifteen cases have been reported. We present here the case of a 90-year-old patient with nodular fasciitis of the right external auditory canal. The lesion extends anteriorly for 6.5 cm and reaches the posterior wall of the maxillary sinus. To our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature of an external auditory canal nodular fasciitis presenting as an inflammatory ear polyp with such a wide extension.

Nodular fasciitis of the anterior chest wall mimicking myxofibrosarcoma: A case report and literature review

Nodular fasciitis is a benign tumor of soft tissues originating from the proliferation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, generally developing between the subcutaneous tissue and the underlying muscular layer. Nodular fasciitis predominantly localizes in the upper extremities, trunk, head and neck. Biomolecular and immunohistochemical analyses result essential to demonstrate the benign origin of the process, also confirmed by very low recurrence rate after complete excision, which represents the gold standard for treatment. We report the case of a 36 years-old man who developed a nodular protuberance clinically evident in the upper-left side of the thorax. We further, highlight the main characteristics of this rare neoplasm trough a thorough review of the literature.

Diagnostic clue of nodular fasciitis mimicking metastasis in papillary thyroid cancer, mismatching findings on 18F-FDG PET/CT and 123I whole body scan: A case report

This study reports a case of nodular fasciitis incidentally detected in a patient with papillary thyroid cancer. A 47-year-old woman underwent a total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy for papillary thyroid cancer. On a follow-up fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) PET/computed tomography (CT) scan after 12 months, a focal ¹⁸F-FDG-avid lesion was incidentally detected in the paraspinal muscle. It was well-enhanced on CT and magnetic resonance imaging, indicating metastasis. However, the lesion was not iodine avid on the ¹²³I whole body scan, which favored benign etiology over metastasis from thyroid cancer. For pathological confirmation, surgical excision was performed and the paraspinal lesion was finally confirmed as nodular fasciitis. Therefore, it was suggested that nodular fasciitis may be included in the differential diagnosis of a ¹⁸F-FDG avid/iodine non-avid soft tissue lesion in patients with thyroid cancer. In such circumstances, ¹²³I whole body scans may serve a role in non-invasive work-up, and prevent unnecessary surgical procedures.

Extradural nodular fasciitis arising in the spinal canal

STUDY DESIGN

Case report.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a patient with nodular fasciitis arising in the lumbar extradural space.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Nodular fasciitis is a benign proliferation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. It commonly occurs in the subcutaneous tissue of an upper extremity, trunk, head, and neck, but rarely arises in the spinal canal.

METHODS

A 7-year-old boy experienced gradually increasing intense radiating pain from the bilateral buttocks to the lower extremities after a bruise on his lower back. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a relatively circumscribed mass in the dorsal epidural space from the first lumbar vertebra (L1) to L2. The presumptive diagnosis based on the radiologic findings included aggressive neoplasm such as extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor or malignant lymphoma.

RESULTS

The patient underwent L1-L2 laminectomy and resection of the tumor. Histologically, the tumor was mainly composed of a proliferation of spindle cells without atypia, positive for vimentin and smooth muscle actin, and myxoid areas with a loosely textured feathery pattern. These findings are the typical features of nodular fasciitis. Surgery relieved the patient's pain, with no evidence of recurrence at a recent 4-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This report presents a very rare case of extradural nodular fasciitis arising in the lumbar spinal canal, which could have been misinterpreted as a malignant tumor such as extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor because of its rapid growth and absence of distinguishing radiologic features. A detailed histopathologic examination including immunohistochemistry is important for the correct diagnosis.

Nodular fasciitis of the hand in a young athlete. A case report

Nodular fasciitis is a rapidly growing mass, with high cellularity and mitotic activity, that can be both clinically and histologically misdiagnosed as a soft tissue sarcoma. Nodular fasciitis of the hand is an extremely rare condition. We report a 17-year-old male hand-ball player with nodular fasciitis in the dominant hand. The patient presented with a rapidly growing mass in his right hand and no history of major trauma. On physical examination, a painful mass measuring 2 cm in diameter was observed in the first web space. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a subcutaneous mass with isointensity on T1-weighted images and inhomogeneous high intensity on T2-weighted images. The lesion was inhomogeneously enhanced after intravenous administration of gadolinium. Moreover, thallium-201 scintigraphy showed high uptake at the early phase and no wash-out at the delayed phase. We performed an excisional biopsy. The mass was present subcutaneously and adhered to the interosseous muscle fascia. Although a pathological examination by frozen section during surgery showed a low-grade spindle cell sarcoma, the final histological diagnosis was nodular fasciitis. There was no evidence of local recurrence at the recent follow-up 2 years after the operation. We speculate that repeated small injuries as a result of sports activities played an important causative role in the nodular fasciitis.

Intractable sciatica due to intraneural nodular fasciitis detected by positron emission tomography

STUDY DESIGN

Case report.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a patient with nodular fasciitis in the sciatic nerve, detected by positron emission tomography (PET).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Severe sciatic pain is commonly caused by lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis, or neoplastic lesion. These lesions are usually diagnosed by plain radiograph, myelography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging.Nodular fasciitis is a benign connective tissue tumor usually presenting as a firm, rapidly-growing lesion, occasionally arising in the forearm. Only 5 cases of intraneural nodular fasciitis have been reported in the published data, and although some have demonstrated mild neuropathy, none have shown nodular fasciitis with intractable sciatica.

METHODS

A 37-year old woman experienced severe sciatica after hitting her left buttock hard on the edge of a bathtub. Physical examination demonstrated intense radiating pain from the left buttock to the lateral calf. There was weakness in the sciatic nerve innervated musculature. She was diagnosed with piriformis syndrome in a local hospital. However, the symptoms remained unchanged after surgery, releasing the piriformis. Conventional imaging of the sciatica including plain radiograph, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging of the spine showed a return of abnormal findings.

RESULTS

PET detected an abnormal lesion in the sciatic nerve in the posterior compartment of the patient's left thigh, indicating an intraneural tumor in the sciatic nerve. Subtotal resection was achieved and histologic evaluation of the specimen showed the typical features of nodular fasciitis. After surgery, the patient was relieved of all symptoms, with no evidence of recurrence at the recent 2-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This is the first reported case of intraneural nodular fasciitis presenting with severe radiculopathy. Nodular fasciitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of severe sciatica. PET may be a useful tool for diagnosing sciatica of unknown origin that cannot be identified using conventional imaging tools.

Nodular Fasciitis: Differential Considerations and Current Management Strategies

Nodular fasciitis (NF) typically presents as an enlarging soft tissue mass with imaging characteristics that may be suggestive of soft tissue sarcoma or desmoid tumor. This presentation can make a correct diagnosis and management of patients with NF a challenge. We report our recent experience with two cases of NF that were both referred with a diagnoses of “soft tissue sarcoma.” Patient 1 was a 46-year-old woman who had undergone breast augmentation and was referred with a rapidly growing firm mass on the left chest wall beneath the breast implant. Computed tomography of the chest noted the mass to be 8 cm X 11 cm in size displacing the implant laterally with no radiological involvement of the bony structures of the chest. Core biopsy was suggestive of inflammation only. Given the clinical suspicion of malignancy, the patient underwent resection of the mass with implant removal. Final pathology showed NF. Patient 2 was a 65-year-old woman referred with an enlarging tender 3-cm infraclavicular mass and a clinical diagnosis of “soft tissue sarcoma.” Preoperative biopsy suggested NF. The patient underwent complete excision, which confirmed the diagnosis. These cases highlight the clinical issues associated with management of patients with NF. Current approaches to evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of NF are discussed.

Nodular fasciitis presenting in the obturator nerve and gracilis muscle

Nodular fasciitis is a reactive proliferation of fibroblasts/myofibroblasts characterized by a rapidly growing non-tender subcutaneous mass and subsequently self-limited course. It is commonly found on the upper extremities, face, and shoulder, although it may occur in any superficial location. Its etiology is largely unknown, but associations have been made with local trauma, infection and inflammation. We report a case of an intraneural and intramuscular nodular fasciitis presenting in the obturator nerve and gracilis muscle, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the second reported case of this disease presenting in a nerve of the lower extremity, as well as the first reported case of it presenting within muscle and nerve simultaneously.