Liposarcoma of the diaphragm: CT and sonographic appearances

Abstract

Malignant tumors arising from the diaphragm are exceedingly rare. We describe the first case, to our knowledge, of a primary diaphragmatic liposarcoma and demonstrate computed tomographic and sonographic findings.

Tumors of the Diaphragm

“…The lesion was removed, confirming the histology as liposarcoma. 40 Some suggest that patients with small incidentally recognized lipomas can be observed. 37 However, in symptomatic patients or asymptomatic patients with concern for liposarcoma, the lesion should be resected.…”

“…37 However, in symptomatic patients or asymptomatic patients with concern for liposarcoma, the lesion should be resected. 39,40 There may be no defining features of one over the other and differentiating lipoma from liposarcoma may require histologic examination of the lesion.…”

Primary germ cell tumor of the diaphragm

“…The imaging findings of diaphragmatic tumors have been described in small series and case reports both with conventional radiographs 5 and cross-sectional imaging 6 ; however, little has been written with respect to differentiating large masses arising from the diaphragm from other primary upper abdominal neoplasms.…”

Primary liposarcoma of the diaphragm: a rare intra-abdominal mass

“…Although liposarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma [1] , [2] , primary liposarcoma arising from the diaphragm is extremely rare. A PubMed search up to October 2016 identified a single case report [5] . Typical locations include the retroperitoneum and extremities (up to 75% of cases) [1] , [3] .…”

“…Although up to 10% of well-differentiated liposarcomas can dedifferentiate into malignant liposarcomas, it is important to point out that liposarcomas do not arise from lipomas. Though malignant transformation of lipomas has been reported, it is unclear if this was due to sampling error and/or misdiagnosis [1] , [5] .…”