Imaging Diagnosis and Differentiation of Desmoplastic Fibroma of Bone

Abstract

Background: To analyze the imaging features of desmoplastic fibroma of bone (DFB) for correct diagnosis. Methods: The plain radiography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 20 patients with DFB were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Twenty patients with DFB were retrieved including eleven males and nine females with an age range of 2-52 years (median 27). The DFB involved the femur in six patients, ilium in five, tibia in four, humerus in two, lumbar vertebra in one, radius in one, and calcaneus in the remaining one. DFB was common in the metaphysis of long bones could involve the diaphysis and epiphysis. The imaging presentations were divided into four types: the cystic expansile destruction, osteolytic destruction, mixed destruction, and paraosseous destruction. CT value was 30 -60 Hu in the lesion area (6 cases CT value＞45Hu). MRI had low mixed signals on T1WI and high mixed signals on T2WI. Soft tissue masses might be present in DFB. Conclusions: DFB is a rare tumor with strong local aggressiveness, imaging presentation of cystic bone destruction, low signals on T1WI and T2WI in the lesion, which are helpful for diagnosis of the disease and differentiation from other ones.