Desmoid tumor MRI

Desmoid tumor Microchapters
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Case #1

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sara Mohsin, M.D.[2]Faizan Sheraz, M.D. [3]

Overview

Abdominal MRI may be diagnostic of desmoid tumor. On MRI, desmoid tumor is characterized by dense cellularity and loss of signal following fat saturation.

MRI

• MRI is required in order to:
  • Define the relationship of the tumor to adjacent structures
  • Assess resectability
  • Find out the need for treatment
• MRI is preferred over CT, especially for truncal and extremity tumors MRI characteristics of desmoid tumors are variable and relate to their cellularity and fibrous content. Desmoids may be hypointense or isointense to muscle on T1-weighted images; they are predominantly hyperintense on T2-weighted images, but hypointense bands may be seen that represent dense collections of collagen bundles [73]. T2 hyperintensity may diminish over time as tumor cellularity decreases and collagen deposition increases [74]. With the administration of gadolinium, desmoids typically show moderate to marked enhancement, and the hypointense bands may become more apparent because collagen bundles are not enhanced by contrast material [75]. Its appearance is characterized by their dense cellularity. Typical signal characteristics include:

MRI Component	Features
T1​	Low signal intensity
T1 C+ (Gd)	May show homogeneous, inhomogeneous, or no significant enhancement
T2	Low signal intensity

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  MRI of desmoid tumor