Diffuse neurofibroma of the ankle.

PURPOSE

To correlate the imaging and histological findings in diffuse neurofibroma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of clinical, imaging and histological findings in two patients with diffuse neurofibroma.

RESULTS

CT demonstrates diffuse infiltration of the deep and subcutaneous fat, isodense to muscle. Magnetic resonance imaging shows extensive infiltration of the subcutaneous and deep fat that envelops tendons and vessels but does not involve bone. Superficial masses enhance homogeneously after intravenous gadolinium. The reticular nature of the deep infiltration is seen on all sequences but is most conspicuous on post-gadolinium T1-weighted images which show tumour enhancement and non-enhancing hypointense soft tissue strands. Magnetic resonance angiography and Doppler ultrasound may show enlarged vessels, high blood flow and vascular pools.

CONCLUSION

Diffuse neurofibroma has a characteristic appearance on magnetic resonance that is best shown on post-gadolinium T1-weighted images.