Characterization of Elastofibroma Dorsi with (18)FDG PET/CT: a retrospective study

Rev Esp Med Nucl. 2011 Nov-Dec;30(6):342-5. doi: 10.1016/j.remn.2011.01.006. Epub 2011 Apr 3.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Elastofibroma dorsi has been described in the literature as an unusual tumor or pseudotumor. However, autopsies and imaging studies have revealed that it is a non-negligible finding.

Purpose: The aim of this study has been to illustrate and become familiar with this type of lesion in order to prevent misdiagnosis.

Materials and methods: From 3 December 2008 to 5 January 2010, 1,751 patients were evaluated with (18)FDG-PET/CT. Of these, 29 cases of elastofibroma dorsi were recorded as an incidental finding. A retrospective and descriptive analysis was performed on this study series.

Results: The study showed a prevalence of 1.66%. Out of the 29 findings, 22 (75.86%) were females and 7 (24.14%) males. Seventeen (58.62%) cases were bilateral, 12 (41.38%) unilateral and the SUVmax ranged from 1.4 to 3.2. These lesions were reported as soft tissue density images with mild or moderate diffuse metabolic activity.

Conclusion: The elastofibroma dorsi is a relatively common finding in PET/CT that should be known in order to avoid making wrong diagnoses.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Asymptomatic Diseases
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fibroma / diagnosis
  • Fibroma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fibroma / pathology
  • Fluorine Radioisotopes*
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Incidental Findings
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multimodal Imaging*
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / diagnostic imaging
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Substances

  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18