A Retrospective Analysis of the Computed Tomography Findings and Diagnosis of 53 Cases of Elastofibroma in the Infrascapular Region

OBJECTIVE

In this work, we have used histopathology as the gold standard for the diagnosis, calculated the sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of computed tomography (CT), and analyzed the CT and clinical characteristics of pathologically proven elastofibromas.

METHODS

A systematic retrospective analysis was performed on all patients with infrascapular lesions who were treated in the hospital from 2006 to 2018. CT and histopathological examinations were performed for all cases, and the CT sensitivity and PPV for the diagnosis of elastofibroma were calculated. 12 of 53 cases (20 lesions) underwent enhanced CT scan after CT plain scan, and the related clinical and CT features of elastofibromas have been discussed.

RESULTS

Of the 54 patients treated during the study, CT diagnosis was consistent with histopathology in 53 cases. One was a false-positive patient. The PPV and sensitivity of the CT in the diagnosis of elastofibroma were 93.3% (95% CI 68.0%-99.8%) and 100%, respectively. The CT values of 12 patients with 20 lesions on plain and enhanced scans were statistically significant (P=0.001). The prevalence of elastofibromas in males and females was statistically significant (P=.000). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of left and right elastofibromas (P=0.752). There was no significant difference in the volume of left and right lesions (P=0.209) and the volume of elastofibromas between males and females (P=.474).

CONCLUSION

CT is the most practical tool for the evaluation of elastofibromas in the infrascapular region.

Multifocal concomitant scapulothoracic and subgluteal-ischiofemoral elastofibromas

PURPOSE

To evaluate the frequency, imaging findings, and patient demographics of synchronous elastofibroma dorsi (ED) and pelvic elastofibromas.

METHODS

Image archives between 2011 and 2021 were retrospectively searched for CT and MRI reports including the keyword "elastofibroma". Patients with concomitant CT and/or MRI of the chest and pelvic regions were included. The greatest thickness and side of ED were noted. Subsequently, pelvic soft tissues were evaluated for a soft tissue mass with similar radiological features to ED. When detected, its location, greatest transverse diameter, and ischiofemoral space widths were noted. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U-tests were performed when appropriate. Pearson's correlations were used to assess the association of presence of subgluteal-ischiofemoral elastofibromas (SGIFE) and ED thickness. The model discrimination of ED thickness was evaluated by calculating the AUC of the ROC.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight patients (Male:Female = 8:80) with a mean age of 70.6 (±10.3) years were included. 96.6 % of patients had bilateral ED. 18.2 % of patients (all females) had at least one concomitant SGIFE. Patients with SGIFE had significantly thicker ED (p < 0.001 right; p = 0.049 left). There was a significant positive correlation between the thickness of ED and presence of SGIFE (r = 0.43, p < 0.001 right; r = 0.25, p = 0.019 left). An AUC of 0.781 (p < 0.001, 95 %-CI:0.675-0.887) and 0.659 (p = 0.049, 95 %-CI:0.523-0.794) were revealed regarding the presence of ipsilateral right and left SGIFE, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Concomitant SGIFE may accompany ED in up to 18.2% of cases, particularly in women with thick ED. Knowledge of this co-occurrence and the described SGIFE characteristics can facilitate correct diagnosis.

Current Update on the Diagnosis, Management and Pathogenesis of Elastofibroma Dorsi

Elastofibroma dorsi is an uncommon benign fibroblastic pseudotumor that typically occurs in the subscapular region of middle-aged or older individuals. The pathogenesis is still unclear and a matter of debate. Magnetic resonance imaging can be used as a first-line investigation of the lesion and reveals a lenticular soft-tissue mass with a signal intensity similar to that of skeletal muscle interlaced with strands of fat. Biopsy is not necessary if all pathognomonic criteria are present. A conservative "wait and see" attitude is reasonable and immediate surgery is no more the standard treatment of elastofibroma dorsi. This review provides an updated overview of the diagnosis, management and pathogenesis of elastofibroma dorsi. We also discuss recent advances in our understanding of genomic alterations in elastofibroma dorsi.

Shoulder Tumor/Tumor-Like Lesions: What to Look for

This article discusses the most common tumor and tumor-like lesions arising at the shoulder. Osseous tumors of the shoulder rank second in incidence to those at the knee joint and include benign osteochondromas and myeloma or primary malignant lesions, such as osteosarcoma or chondrosarcomas. Soft tissue tumors are overwhelmingly benign, with lipomas predominating, although malignant lesions, such as liposarcomas, can occur. Numerous tumor-like lesions may arise from the joints or bursae, due to either underlying arthropathy and synovitis (eg, rheumatoid arthritis and amyloid) or related to conditions, including tenosynovial giant cell tumor and synovial osteochondromatosis.

Elastofibroma dorsi: What's new?

Elastofibroma dorsi is a rare slowgrowing soft tissues tumor. The lesion usually grows near the shoulder but could also involve other location. Pathogenesis of elastofibroma dorsi is still unknown and in the literature, there are mostly described case report or case series. The aim of our study is to summarize the recent innovation in the histology and immunoistochemical finding about elastofibroma and update the radiological algorithm of diagnosis.

Retrospective analysis of 73 cases of elastofibroma

OBJECTIVE

Elastofibroma is a rare soft-tissue tumour. This study retrospectively analysed and summarised the clinical, imaging and typical pathological features, together with the short- and long-term surgical outcomes of patients with pathologically confirmed soft-tissue elastofibroma to improve their management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We enrolled 73 patients with pathologically confirmed soft-tissue elastofibroma from January 2010 to December 2018. The general, clinical, diagnostic and treatment-related data, operation notes, pathological examination results and follow-up status were obtained by reviewing inpatient medical records. Disease onset age, sex, tumour location and size were statistically analysed using the chi square and rank sum tests.

RESULTS

A total of 90 lesions from 73 patients were examined. Among these, 56 patients had single lesions: 27 were under the right scapula, 26 were under the left scapula, 1 at the umbilicus, 1 on the aortic valve, 1 on the right hip and 17 at the bilateral inferior angles of the scapula. The average age at onset was 56.4 years (range: 6-82 years). The male-to-female incidence ratio was about one to three. Tumour diameter and follow-up duration ranged from 2cm to 12cm and from one month to nine years, respectively; recurrence was not observed. The main postoperative complication was wound effusion, occurring in 24 sites among the 90 lesions, corresponding to an incidence rate of 26.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

A correct diagnosis of elastofibroma can be made prior to surgical resection by examining typical clinical features and characteristic imaging findings. Short- and long-term outcomes of local excision are good, with no further recurrence.

Concomitant bilateral elastofibroma in the infrascapular and gluteal regions: a report of a rare case

BACKGROUND

Elastofibroma is a benign soft tissue tumor characterized by the presence of elastic fibers in a stroma of collagen and mature adipose tissue. It is reported to have a prevalence of 2.73%, as shown by a study through computed tomography (CT) images. However, multiple elastofibromas are uncommon.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of concomitant bilateral elastofibroma in the infrascapular and gluteal regions. A 63-year-old male patient presented with a 6-month history of gradually increasing painless swellings in the upper back. On physical examination, firm, painless bilateral infrascapular masses were identified; these masses were more noticeable on forward arm flexion. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed well-defined bilateral infrascapular masses deep to the serratus anterior muscles as well as poorly defined bilateral gluteal masses with attenuation similar to that of the adjacent skeletal muscle. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed heterogenous masses with internal fatty streaks, consistent with elastofibroma. The histopathological diagnosis of elastofibroma was established based on the results of image-guided core-needle biopsy. The patient underwent surgical excision of both infrascapular elastofibromas with no post-operative complications. As the gluteal masses were incidental, surgical management was not warranted.

CONCLUSION

The presence of multiple elastofibromas is unusual. This report describes a rare case of multiple elastofibromas and its typical imaging features, and alerts us that elastofibromas are not exclusive to the periscapular region.

Elastofibroma Dorsi: Findings on 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography

Elastofibroma dorsi (EFD) is a relatively rare soft-tissue pseudotumor that arises from mesenchymal tissue. We present a case of 48-year-old woman who underwent ¹⁸F fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography for initial staging of suspected carcinoma of the left breast. Incidental detection of soft-tissue masses showing moderate FDG uptake was seen in the bilateral infrascapular location characteristic of EFD.

[Elastofibromatous polyps of the gastrointestinal tract: report of three cases and review of the literature]

INTRODUCTION

Gastrointestinal elastofibromatous polyps are rare benign lesions. In 1985, Enjoji described elastofibromatous change of the stomach but since only isolated cases have been reported, with none in Spanish language journals. They present as single, usually asymptomatic, polypoid lesions, most frequently in the large intestine. Biopsy is essential for diagnosis and the main differential diagnosis is amyloidosis.

OBJECTIVE

To report the clinicopathological characteristics of a new series of gastrointestinal elastofibromatous polyps and review the pertinent literature.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study of cases of elastofibromatous polyps diagnosed between 2016 and 2017 in the Hospital Clínico de la Universidad Católica de Chile. Demographic data and histological slides stained with H&E, Verhoeff - van Gieson histochemical staining and Congo-red, were reviewed as well as previously reported cases.

RESULTS

3 cases of gastrointestinal elastofibromatous polyps were found, all located in the large intestine. The location of 41 previously reported cases was: 34 (77%) in the large intestine; 6 (14%) in the stomach and 4 (9%) in the small intestine.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings concord with previously reported cases. As they are rare lesions, careful histopathological examination, complemented with histochemical studies, is necessary for a correct differential diagnosis, ruling out other possibilities, such as amyloidosis, with different clinical implications.

MRI findings and demographics of elastofibroma dorsi: assessment of diffusion-weighted imaging and contrast enhancement patterns

Background Elastofibroma dorsi is a rare pseudotumoral lesion. Thus, there is no report of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings that investigates multiple patients particularly with respect to diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings and contrast enhancement patterns. Purpose To describe the imaging findings of elastofibroma on MRI, particularly DWI findings and contrast enhancement patterns, and to further investigate patient demographics. Material and Methods Forty-four patients with elastofibroma that underwent MRI were enrolled in this retrospective study. All images were evaluated by two radiologists to visually assess the signal intensity for each sequence. Enhanced elastofibromas were classified into four categories to assess the enhancement pattern. Differences in gender and laterality were also assessed statistically. Results An equal number of men and women were included (n = 22 each). There was no significant difference in laterality ( P = 0.783). All lesions (73 lesions) had low signal intensity on both T1-weighted (T1W) and T2-weighted (T2W) images: heterogeneous in 56, homogeneous in 17. None of the 41 lesions with DWI had true abnormal diffusion restriction. The average ADC value was 1.36 × 10^-3 ± 0.29 mm²/s. All 31 lesions that had contrast-enhanced MRI were classified according to enhancement pattern: homogeneous (three lesions, 9.7%); heterogeneous (15 lesions, 48.4%); streak-like (three lesions, 9.7%); and rim-like (ten lesions, 32.2%). Conclusion There were no statistically significant differences in gender or laterality. Elastofibroma showed homogeneous to heterogeneous low signal intensity on T1W and T2W images. No lesion showed abnormal diffusion restriction, and all lesions demonstrated enhancement on MRI.

Triple elastofibromas located in the supra- and infrascapular regions-a case report

We report a case of triple elastofibromas located in the supra- and infrascapular regions. A 61-year-old female with a history of bilateral elastofibroma in the typical subscapular region (6 years before) was admitted for the evaluation of a left-sided suprascapular mass that she had first noted 3 months before. On physical examination, a firm, painless, mobile mass was palpated in the subcutaneous tissue. The patient had not observed any changes of the two known lesions over the past 6 years. The patient denied a family history of elastofibroma. The signal characteristic on T1- and T2-weighted images as well as contrast enhancement curves on dynamic study was identical in all three masses. Ultrasound-guided biopsy performed before surgical intervention confirmed the diagnosis of elastofibroma. This case report has a teaching value as, to our knowledge, it is the only one in the literature with images of synchronous elastofibromas documented by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. In cases of elastofibroma with diagnostic difficulties, particularly in uncommon sites, a dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI may help to establish the proper diagnosis. This case report gives an example of rare multiple elastofibromas, presents current diagnostic imaging methods, and reminds us that elastofibroma is not exclusive to the posterior thoracic region.

Elastofibroma developing at the subscapular port site after thoracoscopic surgery: first case report

In recent years, the number of cancer patients who undergo endoscopic surgery has been increasing, and port-site recurrence is becoming a more common complication. A 66-year-old woman underwent thoracoscopic left lower lobectomy with lymph node dissection for pT1aN0M0 adenocarcinoma of the lung. Six years after surgery, CT revealed a subscapular tumor measuring 3 cm at the site of the surgical port wound. Although port-site cancer recurrence was suspected, needle biopsy revealed that the tumor was an elastofibroma. During 6 months of follow-up, MRI revealed no further change, and it was concluded that development of the tumor at the subscapular port site had been merely coincidental.

Elastofibroma of the gluteal region with a concomitant contralateral lesion: case report and review of the literature

A 51-year-old man presented with elastofibroma (EF) of the gluteal region with a concomitant contralateral lesion. The patient presented with a slow growing mass of the proximal third of the right buttock and had swelling, discomfort in sitting, and right-hip pain during walking for 2 months. On MRI, a soft-tissue mass was noted between the gluteus maximus and the gluteus medius muscle. The mass showed similar signal intensity to the surrounding tissue on T1- and T2-weighted images and with linear hyperintense areas in its internal structure. At surgery, a soft, non-encapsulated, irregular, and rubber-like mass was found attached to the gluteus medius muscles. It was pathologically confirmed to be an EF. This unusual manifestation of an EF is discussed.

[Elastofibroma of dual anterior and thoracic dorsal localization in children]

L’élastofibrome est une pseudotumeur des tissus mous typiquement localisée sous la pointe de l'omoplate. Il est caractérisé par la prolifération de tissus fibreux et adipeux et affecte plus fréquemment les femmes âgées. Nous présentons un cas d’élastofibrome chez une fille de 9 ans.

Elastofibroma of the Face: A Case Report

Elastofibroma is a rare neoplasm that characteristically occurs in subscapular area in response to microtrauma. There are some reports of this tumor in other sites of the body but, up till now, there has been no report of elastofibroma in the face. A 20-year-old man presented with a slow growing painless mass in the face without any history of trauma. Histopathologic examination revealed a soft tissue mass composed of eosinophilic fibers admixed with aggregation of fat cells, capillary blood vessels, and fibroblasts. Elastic stain and Masson's trichrome stain confirmed the nature of elastic and collagen fibers. It was a case of elastofibroma in the face.

Elastofibroma dorsi: clinicopathological analysis of 76 cases

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical, and treatment aspects of elastofibroma dorsi through a retrospective study of 76 patients who underwent surgery between January 2008 and December 2012 in our department.

METHODS

Our study is retrospective between January 2008 and December 2012. We admitted 79 patients with a subscapular mass, and only 76 patients had ED. The others (n=2) had high associated risk of anesthesia and were managed by a medical treatment and one patient had a subscapular sclerotic hemangioma.

RESULTS

The average age of the patients was 49 years (range, 38 to 70 years), with a female predominance (54 females and 22 males). Subscapular location was constant. The right, left, and bilateral form was noted in 41, 15 and 20 cases, respectively. The diagnosis was clinical in 60 cases. Ultrasound and computerized tomography scans confirmed the diagnosis of an ill-defined mass in a subscapular location in all cases. Surgical treatment consisted of complete resection of the mass. The clinical diameter of the mass remained significantly lower than that of the surgical specimen (7 cm versus 12 cm) because the major hidden part of the mass in the subscapular area was inaccessible to palpation. Complications were noted in 9 cases (11.8%), seroma in 8 cases (10.5%), infection of wound site in 4 cases (5%), and parietal textilome in one case (1%). No case of recurrence was noted.

CONCLUSION

Surgery of elastofibroma is unique because of the subscapular location of the parietal tumor, whose histological fibrous nature makes it very adherent to the chest wall.