Radiological-pathological correlation in lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis.

BACKGROUND

Lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis are uncommon benign mesenchymal lesions that predominantly occur in infancy and early childhood.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the imaging and histological features of lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Retrospective review of the radiological and pathological findings in children with lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis treated at a single centre between 1997 and 2004.

RESULTS

Eight children (median age 18 months) had undergone imaging and surgery at our institution. An infiltrative growth pattern was identified at imaging in two children with lipoblastomatosis, and a well-defined mass in six children with lipoblastoma. In all patients, imaging showed a lesion composed mostly, but not entirely, of fat. There were no recurrences at follow-up of between 1 and 91 months.

CONCLUSION

In infancy and early childhood, the identification of a tumour composed mostly of fat should suggest the diagnosis of lipoblastoma or lipoblastomatosis.