Imaging characteristics of spindle cell lipoma and its variants

Skeletal Radiol. 2014 May;43(5):591-7. doi: 10.1007/s00256-014-1834-5. Epub 2014 Feb 20.

Abstract

A spindle cell lipoma (SCL) is a relatively common tumor that can be challenging to the radiologist, pathologist, or surgeon to diagnose, particularly when internal fat content is scant or absent. Although these lesions may be found at various locations, the typical presentation for this lesion is a well-circumscribed and non-aggressive subcutaneous mass in the posterior neck presenting in a middle-aged to elderly man. In this article, the typical and atypical imaging characteristics of a spindle cell lipoma (SCL) will be reviewed. Knowledge of the common imaging and pathologic features of SCLs can help suggest the diagnosis and guide patient management.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Lipoma / diagnosis*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Sarcoma / diagnosis*
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*